Safety Share

Is fatigue affecting your workday? Fatigue is typically a result of insufficient sleep or mental and physical stress, and is often overlooked as not many people consider themselves unfit for work simply because they are “tired.” However, the effects of fatigue should be taken very seriously and, according to some studies, can even be equated to the effects of being under the influence of alcohol. A Canadian report by WorkSafeBC showed the following:

• Being awake for 17 consecutive hours is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05

• Being awake for 21 consecutive hours is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.08

• Being awake for 24-25 consecutive hours is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .10

Fatigue can reduce your decision making ability and cause a decline in productivity and performance. Fatigue also hinders your ability to handle stress on the job, and causes slower reaction times and increased errors in judgment, forgetfulness and tendency to take risks.

These symptoms affect your safety, as well as the safety of those around you. The good news is fatigue is manageable and preventable. Start with a good night's sleep. On average, you should be getting between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep each night.

Practice going to bed and getting up at the same time every day to condition your body. Exercising and maintaining a balanced and regular diet will also help you achieve better sleep and avoid the symptoms of fatigue.

Employers can help prevent fatigue by controlling the environment. Avoid dim lighting, high temperatures and assigning repetitive or monotonous tasks. Develop fatigue policies that alert employees of the risks associated with fatigue and ways to avoid them. Also, set work hour limitations and job rotation schedules that require breaks and allow plenty of time for rest between shifts.

If you feel that fatigue is affecting your or a coworker's ability to work, please address your concerns with a manager as soon as possible.