Fatigue among workers is an increasingly significant issue, with nearly seven out of ten employees reporting feeling tired at work, according to a survey conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC). This alarming statistic highlights the pervasive nature of fatigue across various industries, particularly those that are safety-sensitive.
Fatigue in Safety-Sensitive Industries
The percentages of fatigued workers are especially concerning in industries where safety is critical:
- Utilities: 45%
- Manufacturing: 63%
- Construction: 65%
- Transportation: 70%
These numbers underscore the need for targeted interventions in these sectors to prevent fatigue-related incidents.
Incidents of Falling Asleep on the Job
The impact of fatigue is not just theoretical. Half of all employers surveyed by the NSC reported witnessing employees falling asleep on the job. While this may not always occur during safety-critical moments, it still represents a significant risk. The breakdown by industry is as follows:
- Utilities: 41%
- Manufacturing: 55%
- Construction: 61%
- Transportation: 38%
These statistics highlight the widespread nature of fatigue-related issues across different work environments.
Risk Factors for Fatigue
The NSC identified nine key risk factors for fatigue, revealing that 97% of all workers had at least one risk factor, and 80% had two or more. The most prevalent risk factors include:
- Demanding job: 81%
- Sleep loss: 43%
- High-risk hours (night or early morning): 41%
- Long commutes: 31%
- Long weeks: 22%
- Long shifts (10 hours or more): 21%
- Shift work: 17%
- Quick shift returns: 14%
- No rest breaks: 10%
These risk factors contribute significantly to workplace fatigue and underscore the need for comprehensive fatigue management strategies.
What Can Employers Do?
The NSC recommends that employers implement Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) to mitigate the effects of fatigue on their workforce. FRMSs encompass policies, practices, programs, and procedures that integrate fatigue management into an existing safety management system.
Addressing Workplace Culture
One of the most challenging aspects of addressing workplace fatigue is changing the workplace culture. This requires a shift in perspective rather than just policy changes. Employers must recognize and communicate that fatigue is an unacceptable safety risk. The NSC recommends the following actions:
- Open Dialogue: Encourage discussions about fatigue as a workplace safety hazard.
- Safety Talks: Incorporate short safety talks about fatigue into regular safety meetings.
- HR and Safety Collaboration: Ensure HR and safety professionals discuss the importance of sleep health, including how employees can get screened for sleep disorders.
Other Fatigue-Mitigation Strategies
To further reduce the impact of fatigue, the NSC suggests the following changes:
- Limit Work Hours: Schedule employees for fewer than 10 hours a day and less than 50 hours per week.
- Manage Shift Schedules: Limit night shift employees to no more than four consecutive days, rotate shifts forward (day to evening to night), and allow recovery rest before shift changes.
- Rest Breaks: Schedule regular rest breaks during all shifts.
- Nap Areas: Provide a place for short naps during night shifts.
- Fatigue Reporting: Create a system for employees to report when they are too tired to work safely.
- Sleep Health Education: Educate employees about the importance of sleep health.
- Healthcare Plans: Include sleep disorder screening and treatment in employee healthcare plans.
Conclusion
Fatigue in the workplace is a serious issue that requires immediate attention from employers across all industries. By implementing comprehensive fatigue management strategies and fostering a culture that prioritizes sleep health, employers can reduce the risks associated with worker fatigue and create a safer, more productive work environment.
For more information, you can refer to the following sources:
- National Safety Council (NSC) [https://www.nsc.org/]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) https://www.osha.gov/worker-fatigue
