Fatigue Risk Management for Employees
A fatigue risk management system involves:
- Policies/responsibilities
- Risk assessment
- Hazard controls/action plans
- Training and education
- Ongoing review and improvementFatigue Risk Management
Joint Responsibility for Fatigue
Employer Responsibilities
Hazard Control Model
Five levels of defence reduce the possibility of a fatigue-related error or incident.
Level 1 Controls Sleep Opportunity
Level 1 controls are intended to make sure you get enough time off between shifts to get enough sleep
Schedules are evaluated according to:
- length and timing of shifts
- length and timing of breaks
- number of shifts worked in a row
- number of days off between shifts
| Fatigue Likelihood Scoring Matrix for Work Schedules | |||||
| 0 points | 1 point | 2 points | 4 points | 8 points | |
| a) Total hours per 7 days | ≤ 36 hours | 36.1 – 43.9 | 44 – 47.9 | 48 – 54.9 | 55+ |
| b) Maximum shift duration | ≤ 8 hours | 8.1 – 9.9 | 10 – 11.9 | 12 – 13.9 | ≥ 14 |
| c) Minimum short break duration | ≥ 16 hours | 15.9 – 13 | 12.9 – 10 | 9.9 – 8 | ≤ 8 |
| d) Maximum night work per 7 days | 0 hours | 0.1 – 8 | 8.1 – 16 | 16.1 – 24 | ≥ 24 |
| e) Long break frequency | ≥ 1 in 7 days | ≤ 1 in 7 days | ≤ 1 in 14 days | ≤ 1 in 21 days | ≤ 1 in 28 days |
Level 1 Controls Fatigue Likelihood Scores
Level 2 Controls Sleep ObtainedLevel 2 controls are intended to determine whether employees actually got the sleep
they needed
- Identifies employees who fail to get
sufficient sleep - Provides a procedure to report fatigue
to a supervisor or manager - Outlines clear steps to take when an
employee makes a fatigue report
Level 2 Controls Fatigue Likelihood Score
| Prior sleep factor | Threshold value | Score |
| X (sleep in prior 24 hours) |
5 hours | Add 4 points for each hour below threshold |
| Y (sleep in prior 48 hours) |
12 hours | Add 2 points for each hour below threshold |
| Z (time awake since last sleep) | Y | Add 1 point for each hour of wakefulness greater than Y |
A simple calculation can give you a fatigue likelihood score.
Level 2 Controls Sample Decision Tree
| Score | Action |
| 0 | No action. |
| 1-4 | Talk to supervisor and undertake approved individual countermeasures (i.e., self monitoring for symptoms, team monitoring by colleagues, task rotation) |
| 5-10 | File fatigue report with supervisor. Organize supervisory checks. Complete symptom checklist, task re-assignment |
| 10+ | File fatigue report with manager. Do not engage in risky behaviour. Do not start shift until fit for work. |
Level 2 Controls IFLS Card
Level 3 Controls Fatigue Symptoms
What are some of the common symptoms of fatigue?
Level 3 controls are intended to identify employees who show signs of fatigue
- symptoms of fatigue indicate an increased risk of fatigue-related error
- employees should watch for symptoms in themselves and others
- a system of reporting allows the company to take measures when the risk is considered high
Level 4 Controls Fatigue Proofing Strategies
Increased supervisor/co-worker monitoring
Working in pairs
Double-check systems
Checklists
Task rotation
Additional breaks
Napping
Moving critical/monotonous tasks to daytime
Level 5 Controls Errors and Incidents
Level 5 controls consist of:
- fatigue error or incident reporting system
- Investigation procedures to determine whether fatigue was a cause of an incident
- review of fatigue management controls