The National Safety Council defines fatigue as “feelings of tiredness, sleepiness, reduced energy and increased effort needed to perform tasks at a desired level.” The three most common factors causing fatigue are sleep loss, time of day and time on tasks. According to OSHA, working 12 hours a day—like many construction employees do—is associated with a 37% increase in injury risk. Extended shifts, working at irregular times and long commutes all contribute to fatigue because they make it more difficult for workers to get the rest they need to recharge.
Fatigue can be physical and mental, and can affect situational awareness, concentration and decision-making. So, what can we do about it?
Increase awareness
The following factors increase a worker’s likelihood
of fatigue:
- Manual labor, including repetitive tasks
- Complex tasks requiring collaboration and communication
- Shifts longer than 10 hours
- Night and early morning shifts
- Less than 12 hours of rest between shifts
Construction is physically and mentally demanding. Employers who take fatigue management into account during the planning stages of a project can help mitigate these risks. Methods for minimizing worker fatigue include carefully scheduling shifts so workers can get sufficient rest in between work times, providing opportunities for feedback about difficult work schedules, limiting the number of consecutive night shifts for each employee, mandating education and training regarding sleep and fatigue in construction work and implementing procedures to monitor workers’ energy levels.
Fatigue in line work
Line work is an especially demanding subset of electrical work and may require additional precautions to limit fatigue and associated risks.
When working in storms, extreme conditions or long hours with limited rest, individuals must identify signs of fatigue and work with their team to reduce it. Managers should have a program to manage fatigue, especially with workers operating vehicles. Employers should rotate drivers when possible.
OSHA does not specifically regulate fatigue management; however, it is recognized as a workplace hazard.
As a worker, be sure to:
- Avoid taking on extra shifts, especially at night and early morning.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule of at least 4 hours that does not change from day to day.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before sleep.
- Watch for fatigue in yourself and others, including fidgeting, frequent blinking or staring, and consistent loss of concentration.
Information source: OSHA/National Safety Council/Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America
Header image: Getty Images / invincible_bulldog
