How to spot the signs of fatigue and reduce the risk

Fatigue affects all industries and their workers and the effects of fatigue can pose a negative impact on workers and the company, and as with all health and safety risks in the workplace this needs to be managed.

Workers most likely to be affected by work related fatigue:

• Shift workers
• Fly in/​Fly out workers
• Drive in/​Drive out workers
• Seasonal workers
• Emergency services workers
• Medical professionals and other health workers

Signs to look for:

• excessive yawning or falling asleep at work
• short-term memory problems
• inability to concentrate
• noticeably reduced capacity to engage in effective interpersonal communication
• impaired decision-making and judgment
• reduced hand-eye coordination or slow reflexes
• other changes in behaviour, for example repeatedly arriving late for work
• increased rates of unplanned absence

To reduce the risk of being involved in a work incident caused by fatigue, you should:

• comply with your organisation’s policies and procedures relating to fatigue
• take steps to manage fatigue in consultation with your manager. For example, take a break or shift naps (for night shifts), drink water, do some stretching or physical exercise, adjust the work environment (for example lighting and/​or temperature)
• talk to your supervisor if you think you are at risk of fatigue
• look for signs of fatigue in the people you work with
• assess your own fitness for work before starting
• monitor your level of alertness and concentration while you are at work
• understand your sleep, rest and recovery needs. Get adequate rest and sleep away from work
• seek medical help if you are concerned about a health condition that affects your sleep and/​or causes fatigue
• assess your fatigue levels after work and make sensible commuting and accommodation decisions (for example avoid driving if you are feeling fatigued).

Further information:

Emergency services: guideline for risk managing fatigue

Guide for managing the risk of fatigue at work — Safe Work Australia

Heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws

Rail safety requirements – managing fatigue