[tips] Fatigue in the workplace

Many life factors can cause fatigue, which can be difficult to recognise. It’s important that individuals and organisations work towards reducing it. Remember, the only cure for fatigue is sleep, but it’s better not to get fatigued in the first place.

What is the impact of fatigue?


Fatigued workers don’t perform as well, are less productive, and are more likely to have accidents and injuries. Fatigue affects the ability to think clearly. As a result, people who are fatigued are not good at recognising their own level of impairment, and can be unaware that they are not functioning at their best.

Shift work is particularly hazardous, as often you are required to drive at night, at a time when your body is programmed to be asleep. Shift workers are six times more likely to be involved in a fatigue-related road crash than any other workers. Make safe driving a priority in your organisation and you will save money and lives.



Causes of fatigue

Many life and work factors can contribute to fatigue. Some of the main causes are:

• inadequate sleep (most adults need seven to eight hours)
• not enough time to sleep (extended working hours, irregular working hours, shift work, having more than one job)
• poor quality sleep (workplace stress, sleep disorders)
• extended waking and long work hours
• shift work (upsets natural sleep rhythms)
• ageing (teenagers tend to sleep later, older workers sleep less).

Recognising signs of fatigue

Common signs and symptoms are:

• sleepiness
• irritability (more than usual)
• less conversational, or less clear in communication
• reduced attention span, more easily distracted
• slower reactions, clumsiness, poorer hand-eye coordination, reduced manual skills
• slower thinking
• reduced short-term memory, forgetful
• inability to handle large amounts of information under time pressure, losing ‘the big picture’
• less creative problem solving
• cutting corners to get the job finished
• poor judgment of distance, speed or time
• increased risk-taking
• uncontrolled sleep (microsleeps)

What can I do to reduce fatigue?

Everyone has a role to play in preventing and reducing injuries in the workplace.

Tips for employees

Employees have a responsibility to arrive fit for work and to behave safely in the workplace. This includes arriving at work well rested, and understanding and managing fatigue-related risks in the workplace. To help, you can do the following:

• manage your sleep time: have a regular bed time; make sure your bedroom is comfortable; avoid caffeine for five hours before bedtime
• manage your home life: make getting enough sleep a priority; avoid cutting back on sleep in order to fit everything in
• manage your work life: vary or rotate work tasks so you stay alert; take a break if you’re tired; tell your supervisor or manager you’re feeling fatigued
• eat and drink properly: eat light nutritious meals (heavy meals make you drowsy); drink plenty of water; watch your caffeine intake
• avoid medications that make you sleepy: antihistamines, travel sickness tablets, sleeping pills, some cold preparations and pain killers
• take power naps.

Source: ACC