the fatigue factor monthly safety topic

Source excerpt

# Fatigue (cont.) ## What is fatigue? (cont.) - Physical state: - Physiological weakness or degradation - Physically exhausted - Weak - Subjective state: - Tired - Drowsy - Weary - Sleepy - Lethargic ## What are the causes of fatigue? There are many causes related to fatigue, including conditions, disorders, medications, and lifestyle factors. Fatigue can be temporary or chronic (lasting more than six months). Causes of fatigue include: - Situational events such as time change, jet lag, shift work, and extended work hours (overtime) - Disorders or conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy - Use of certain medications or treatments, such as benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, opioids, anticonvulsants, or beta-blockers, over-the-counter drugs (including antihistamines), chemotherapy, etc. - Infections such as mononucleosis, influenza, pneumonia, Lyme disease, etc. - Heart and lung conditions such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, congestive heart failure, etc. - Mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, etc. - Autoimmune disorders including type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. - Other conditions such as hormone imbalances, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. Fatigue CCOHS

Source excerpt

# Is fatigue a workplace issue? (cont.) Signs and symptoms of fatigue can vary, and include: - weariness, - tiredness, - sleepiness, including falling asleep against your will ("micro" sleeps), - irritability, - reduced alertness, concentration and memory, - reduced ability to be productive, - mentally tired, - physically tired, - lack of motivation, - depression, - boredom, - giddiness, - headaches, - loss of appetite, - digestive problems, and - increased susceptibility to illness. What are the effects of fatigue and their relationship to work? Consequences of fatigue can include mental and physical performance, Studies report the effects of fatigue as: - reduced decision making ability or cognitive processing, - reduced ability to do complex planning, - reduced communication skills, - reduced productivity or performance, - reduced alertness, attention and vigilance, - reduced ability to handle stress on the job, - reduced reaction time - both in speed or thought, as well as the ability to react, - loss of memory or the ability to recall details, Fatigue CCOHS

Source excerpt

# Is fatigue a workplace issue? (cont.) - failure to respond to changes in surroundings or information provided, - unable to stay awake (e.g., falling asleep while operating machinery or driving a vehicle), - increased tendency for risk-taking, - reduced physical capacity, - reduced performance, such as a reduced ability to do task or job - increased forgetfulness, - increased errors in judgement, - increased sick time, absenteeism, rate of turnover, - increased medical costs, and - increased incident rates. ## What are some factors that are related to fatigue? Work-related factors may include long work hours, long hours of physical or mental activity, insufficient break time between shifts, changes to jobs or shift rotations, inadequate rest, excessive stress, having multiple jobs, or a combination of these factors. Fatigue is increased by: - dim lighting, - limited visual acuity (i.e., due to weather), - high temperatures, - high noise, - high comfort, - tasks which must be sustained for long periods of time, and work tasks which are long, repetitive, paced, difficult, boring and monotonous. Sometimes, a sleep disorder such as those disorders that may affect the length or effectiveness of sleep, cause extended wakefulness, or cause disruptions to our circadian rhythms may result in fatigue. You should ask your doctor or health professional for more information. These conditions include: - insomnia - sleep apnea - restless legs syndrome Fatigue CCOHS

Source excerpt

# FATIGUE Date Published: 05/14/2025 ## Fatigue Many people ignore or do not recognize the symptoms of fatigue. Fatigue results from the body being physically or mentally exhausted; in extreme cases, it can significantly reduce a person's physical and mental abilities. It is one of the leading causes of injury in the workplace and at home. On construction sites, long work hours and irregular work shifts are common in our society, and worker fatigue is increasingly recognized as a problem affecting the workforce. Research from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that 13% of workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue, a dangerous byproduct of a society that operates 24 hours a day. Many American workers work more than 40 hours a week, and almost 15 million work evening, night, rotating, or other irregular shifts. Work schedules like these can cause worker fatigue. ## WHAT IS FATIGUE? According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Fatigue has been described as "a feeling of weariness, tiredness or lack of energy." Fatigue reduces a person's ability to work safely and effectively. As a result, fatigue increases the risk of injuries or other accidents, even though someone's fatigue may result from work and off-work factors. Fatigue is extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. Fatigue can leave workers performing at lower levels, exposing them to a higher risk and potential injury. Fatigue can have disastrous consequences in the workplace, especially in the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors, where hazards are more prevalent and the consequences more severe. When a worker's alertness level is diminished, the chance of incidents increases. Some statistics and data regarding workplace fatigue are: • Approximately 20% of workers are sleep deprived. • Poor sleep habits can lead to increased stress. • Injuries occur over three times more often in workers with less than 5 hours of…

Source excerpt

CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail # Health Promotion / Wellness / Psychosocial # Fatigue ## On this page <table><tr><th>What is fatigue?</th><th>Is jet lag or the change to daylight</th></tr><tr><td>What are the causes of fatigue?</td><td>savings related to safety issues?</td></tr><tr><td>Is fatigue a workplace issue?</td><td>How can a workplace address fatigue?</td></tr><tr><td>What are the signs of fatigue?</td><td>How much sleep do people need?</td></tr><tr><td>What are the effects of fatigue and their relationship to work?</td><td>How can I get a "better" sleep?</td></tr><tr><td>What are some factors that are related to fatigue?</td><td>What are some tips for "good" eating habits that help encourage sleep?</td></tr></table> ## What is fatigue? In occupational health and safety, there is not a single definition of fatigue. Fatigue is often thought of as the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from various sources such as insufficient sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, or extended periods of stress or anxiety. Boring or repetitive tasks can intensify feelings of fatigue. Fatigue can be described as either acute or chronic. However, fatigue can include mental, physical, or subjective states. For example, as summarized by the CSA Group's report on workplace fatigue, these states include: - Mental state: - Reduced mental capacity - Inattentive - Indecisive Fatigue CCOHS

Source excerpt

WORK SAFE KENTUCKY Free safety resources provided by KEMI HOME SAFETY RESOURCES SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY BLOG ABOUT KEMI CONTACT US O # Preventing Worker Fatigue ## Print a Sign-In Sheet | Spanish Version Coming Soon In the United States, it is common for workers to spend more than 40 hours a week at work. Also, some workers have irregular schedules, such as rotating, evening, and night shifts, which can result in workers' fatigue. Fatigue may lead to increased levels of stress, bad eating habits, lack of concentration, lack of physical activity, and illness. If a worker is fatigued, the risk of accidents and injuries may increase as well. Accident and injury rates are 18% greater during evening shifts and 30% greater during night shifts compared to day shifts. Research has shown that working 12 hours a day increases the risk of injury by 37%. Therefore, to help ensure employees stay safe, healthy, and productive, see the information and tips below to assist in preventing worker fatigue. Occupations most commonly affected: • Health care providers. • Transportation workers. • First responders. • Firefighters. • Police officers. • Military personnel. Follow us on Social Media • Construction workers. • Oil field workers. • Service and hospitality workers. ## Effects of worker fatigue: • Sleepiness. • Irritability. • Reduced alertness. • Lack of concentration and memory. • Impaired decision-making. • Lack of productivity. • Heart disease. - Stomach and digestive problems. • Musculoskeletal disorders. • Reproductive problems. - Depression. • Sleep disorders. Employer preventive measures: • Examine staffing issues: • Workload. • Work hours. • Understaffing. • - Arrange schedules to allow for rest breaks and nighttime sleep. • - Adjust the work area to increase alertness • Lighting. • Temperature. • Physical surroundings. • Train employees on the hazards, symptoms, and impact of worker fatigue. • Educate employees on steps to h…

Source excerpt

# FATIGUE (cont.) ## TIPS FOR MANAGING FATIGUE AT WORK AND HOME Because fatigue is a serious issue and can lead to accidents and injuries, it is essential to know how to combat fatigue. Some methods used to combat the effects of fatigue are as follows: • Take appropriate rest breaks. • If possible, try to sleep at the same time each day. • Workers who sleep during the day should find a dark, cool, quiet place and use earplugs to block noise. • Vary work tasks so that you stay alert. - Using machinery to assist with tasks, where appropriate. • Staying hydrated and drinking enough fluids. - Job/task rotation. - Get regular sleep. 6-8 hours a night is recommended. • Do not rely on stimulants. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes, as they can all cause sleep disturbances. • Eat a balanced diet with foods that provide long-lasting energy. • Exercise regularly, as this can aid in falling asleep faster. ## REFERENCES Long Work Hours, Extended or Irregular Shifts, and Worker Fatigue - Additional Resources | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov) Work and Fatigue | NIOSH | CDC Fatigue - National Safety Council (nsc.org)

Source excerpt

# Is fatigue a workplace issue? (cont.) ## Prevention If you suspect you may have a medical condition that interferes with your sleep, go to your doctor and have any concerns investigated. ## Sleep Hygiene There is no one way to get a good sleep - what works for one person may not work for another. In general, suggestions include: - Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. - Before a time change, such as daylight savings or travel involving time zones, try to go to bed 15 to 20 minute earlier each night before the change to help your body to adjust. - Exercise regularly. - Eat at regular intervals and consume a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and protein. - Use your bed primarily just for sleeping (e.g., do not watch television, use your electronic devices, read, or do work in bed). - If you are not sleepy, do not try to go to bed. Get up and read or do something quiet instead. - Avoid caffeine, tobacco or alcohol - especially before bed time. - Put your phone on "do not disturb" or turn off the phone ringer. - Ask family members to be respectful if one person is sleeping. Family members can use headphones for the TV and radio if necessary. - Make the room as dark and quiet as possible. Use heavy, dark curtains, blinds, or a sleeping eye mask. Soundproof the room where possible or use ear plugs. - Most people sleep better when the room is cool. Consider using an air conditioner or fan in the summer months. ## What are some tips for "good" eating habits that help encourage sleep? The Dietitians of Canada have made the following recommendations: Establish Regular Eating Times Fatigue CCOHS