Managing shift work to minimise workplace fatigue - A guide for employers

Part 1 defines fatigue, examines the causes of workplace fatigue, and explains how recovery happens. Then it presents and explains 12 key facts about workplace fatigue, and highlights the implications of these facts for employers.

Part 2 presents a general framework for managing shift work to minimise workplace fatigue. It also offers some strategies for small employers who may not have the resources to fully develop the framework.

Table of Contents

• Overview of the guide
  • Part 1: About workplace fatigue
  • Part 2: Managing workplace fatigue
  • Contributors
• Part 1: About workplace fatigue
  • What is fatigue?
  • The causes of workplace fatigue
    • Shift work
    • Extended work hours
    • Night work
  • The consequences of workplace fatigue
    • Fatigue leads to human errors
    • Fatigue affects health
  • Recovery from fatigue
    • Sufficient sleep
    • Breaks between shifts
    • Breaks during shifts
    • Whole-of-work factors
  • Key facts about fatigue, and their implications for employers
    1. Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining and restoring full human functioning
    2. Stimulants provide only limited, short-term relief
    3. Fatigue leads to physical and mental impairment
    4. Shift work (particularly night work) can be a significant cause of fatigue
    5. Alertness and capability vary with the time of day
    6. People are programmed to be awake during the day and asleep at night
    7. The ability to fall asleep easily varies with the time of day
    8. How much time people need to recover from fatigue depends on the time of day
    9. Sleep loss is cumulative
    10. Various strategies can minimise fatigue and promote better sleep
    11. Preventing workplace fatigue requires cooperation and compromise
    12. Various strategies are available for managing shift work to minimise fatigue
• Part 2: Managing workplace fatigue
  • A framework for managing shift work to minimise fatigue
    1. Develop an shift work and fatigue policy
    2. Review the hours of work
    3. Manage risk
    4. Train and educate
    5. Monitor and evaluate
  • Strategies for small employers
• Appendix B: Your legal obligations
• Reference

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