What is Fatigue?
Fatigue can be described as a weariness that is primarily caused by prolonged wakefulness or insufficient and/or disturbed sleep.
Fatigue Management in the Workplace
Assessing the risks of fatigue in the workplace can be difficult because people respond differently to situations that may contribute to fatigue, however generally fatigue is due to normal body rhythms that regulate sleep being disrupted, or because there is inadequate time for rest and recovery.
If it has been determined through consultation, assessment and/or observation that a worker is fatigued, the person should not be permitted to commence or continue with work and arrangements must be made to ensure that the person is provided adequate assistance for travel, rest and recovery.
Guidelines for Assessing Fatigue
As mentioned, assessing the risks of fatigue can be difficult because people respond differently to situations that may contribute to fatigue. It is well established however, that there are some factors that will contribute to fatigue in most individuals, either because normal body rhythms that regulate sleep are disrupted or because there is inadequate time for rest and recovery. There are potentially many work factors contributing to fatigue, but, the foremost ones are:
- Total number of hours worked.
- Length of shifts.
- Length of the break between shifts.
- Number of breaks within a shift.
- Number of days free from work.
- Number of night shifts worked (especially consecutive night shifts).
- Number of times on call.
Note: These factors should be used to assess the risks of fatigue in situations where work patterns, such as shift work, extended hours and on-call arrangements are involved.
Contents of this Fatigue Management Procedure
- Approval.
- Purpose.
- Scope.
- Terms and Definitions.
- Roles and Responsibilities.
- Procedures.
- How to Identify Fatigue.
- Assessing Fatigue.
- Management of Fatigue.
- Considerations in Emergency Situations.
- Hours of Work.
- Extension of Working Hours.
- Supporting Provisions for Extended Shifts.
- Roster Hours and Arrangements.
- Roster Criteria.
- Number and Length of Rest Breaks in a Shift.
- Shift Start Time.
- Rostering and Unscheduled Shifts.
- Commuting.
- Reporting Fatigue.
- Prescribed Medications.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Communication and Consultation.
- Related Procedures, Forms and Documents.
- Review Criteria.
- Record Management.
- References.
Why Choose to Buy this Fatigue Management Procedure
This 12-page fatigue management procedure can assist you determine if reasonably practicable steps have been taken to ensure the safety of personnel is balanced against the need for a task to be completed.
After purchasing this template you will be able to:
- Very easily edit and customize the template to create your own procedure.
- Apply your own style, format and brand to the procedure.
- Use it in any industry or sector regardless of the size or type of organization.
Availability and Use of this Fatigue Management Procedure
- This fatigue management procedure is accessible to you right now by clicking the ‘Buy Now’ button.
- The procedure will be delivered to you in fully editable Microsoft Word format for immediate and full use in your business.
- There are no subscriptions, contracts or ongoing costs.
