Fighting fatigue

Construction workers need to be well rested and mentally alert to do their jobs safely. Fatigue is a potential risk that both employers and employees have a responsibility to manage

In construction, there is a significant need for better fatigue management – an issue which has recently been highlighted in Canterbury. Last year, the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter asked 70 companies to complete a self-awareness tool; this indicated the need for better fatigue management.

In response, the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Forum put together a Fatigue Guideline to raise awareness and provide tips and tools for small to medium-sized construction businesses to manage fatigue risk. Employers should develop a policy for managing work schedules, sleep, environmental conditions and emotional wellbeing. Head to www.sitesafe.org.nz/bestpracticeguides for the full guideline.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is more than feeling drowsy. In a work setting, it is a state of exhaustion which can be mental, physical or both. Fatigue reduces a worker’s productivity and ability to do their job safely. A number of factors can combine and contribute to fatigue, including:

• The mental and physical demands of work.
• Work scheduling and planning.
• Environmental conditions.

Identifying fatigue as a risk

It’s important that a risk assessment is carried out. To determine if fatigue is a potential hazard, it’s vital to recognise a worker’s mood, alertness, sleepiness, task performance and focus. To assess the risk, ask yourself the following questions and record the answers:

• Where, which and how many workers (including contractors and subcontractors) are likely to be at risk of becoming fatigued?
• How often is fatigue likely to occur?
• What degree of harm may result from fatigue?
• Are existing control measures against fatigue effective?
• What action should be taken to control the risk of fatigue?
• How urgent is the control needed?

Manage the risk of fatigued workers

Once fatigue is identified as a risk, proper management and prevention is the next step. Possible controls include:

Mental and physical demands of work:

• Use machinery to assist with tasks.
• Rotate job tasks between workers.
• Take appropriate rest breaks.

Work scheduling and planning:

• Reduce the need to work overtime.
• Ensure there are appropriate resources to carry out the work.
• Have suitable rest periods between shifts.

Environmental conditions:

• Avoid working during periods of extreme temperature.
• Provide shelter and adequate facilities for rest, sleep and meal breaks.

Organisational factors:

• Train and encourage workers, managers and supervisors to recognise signs of fatigue.
• Encourage staff to report fatigue-related issues and concerns.

Get the whole team on board

Develop a fatigue policy for your business, which details maximum shift lengths, average weekly hours and travel time. Make sure all workers are aware of your policy; teach them to recognise fatigue and how to report risks and incidents. Encourage workers to:

• Turn up fit for work, having done everything possible to get a good sleep and rest.
• Let their manager or supervisor know if a task is beyond their skills. Recognise the signs and symptoms of fatigue.
• Tell a senior person on site if they start showing signs and symptoms of fatigue.
• Make managers and supervisors aware of other workers who may be fatigued.
• Report fatigue-related incidents.

Contact your local Site Safe Advisor for help in developing and applying your own fatigue policy and procedure – www.sitesafe.org.nz/advisors

About Site Safe

Site Safe is a national not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes, supports and inspires a culture of health and safety in the NZ construction industry.