Fatigue An Industry Perspective Dr Trent Watson Principal Fatigue Consultant Ethos Health
The Challenges The Consequences 20 30% of all road deaths have fatigue as a contributing factor. People 76% of shift workers report high levels of fatigue at least once a fortnight 92% of shift workers have never reported fatigue to a leader Culture 92% of shift workers have never reported fatigue to a leader 92% of shift workers believe leaders are never or rarely supportive regarding fatigue. Action Research shows that drivers can detect changes in their levels of fatigue sufficiently to make a safe decision to stop their task. Workplace Fatigue is four times more likely than drugs or alcohol to contribute to workplace impairment. 4x 24/7 operations System 90% surveyed reported that they were NOT aware of a standard reporting procedure in relation to fatigue Journey Management Traffic injuries are twice as likely to result in death or permanent disability than other workplace accidents Work-related road crashes represent almost half of all occupational fatalities in Australia
Symptoms of fatigue 1. Fully Alert 2. Okay 3. A little fatigued 4. Moderately 5. Extremely Focused on task No errors Difficulty completing Errors in familiar task Increasing errors task Alert Comfortable Occasional yawning Repeated yawning Disorientated Well rested Relaxed Weary Heavy eyelids Eye closures/ microsleeps Eager to do tasks Engaged Indifferent Difficulty Irritable or impatient concentrating Easy to focus on task Attentive Distracted Slow response Miss task-related cues Energetic Purposeful Lethargic Feeling weak Physical exhaustion
Fatigue System Maturity Non - Existent Basic Compliant Progressive Leading Fatigue is not considered a risk Unaware of the complexity of risks or solutions Compliant with legislative requirements Education with engagement Education and a high level of engagement at all levels No system to collect fatigue data Employees are the source of fatigue All stakeholders accept that fatigue is a risk that needs to be controlled. Metrics that positively drive safety performance are routinely measured Fatigue management fully integrated into the overall safety management systems (KPIs) Employee behaviour causes all incidents and accidents Control work hours as a solution Poor assessment of fatigue and low levels of reporting Communication, monitoring and review mechanisms are in place that drive positive change Fatigue management is driven by valid and reliable data No education or interventions Fatigue considered in incident reporting / accident investigations Uncoordinated controls in place Multiple & coordinated controls in place Fatigue management is good for business safety production Morale Costs fatigue risks
Multi-layer Control Approach Level 1 Working Hour Standard Level 2 Fitness for work (e.g. sufficient sleep) Level 3 Task & Environment Level 4 Preventative action in response to symptoms Level 5 Error analysis (e.g. colleagues, technologies)
Multi-layer Control Approach Level Effectiveness of levels 1 (Hours) 2 (FFW) 80% 50% 3 (Task) 80% 70% 4 (Symptoms) 80% 50% 5 (Errors) 80% 70% Total Effectiveness 99.8% 97.8% Average wkly hrs 43.25 43.25 Staff # 1000 1000 Annual Hours 2076000 2076000 Exposure Hours 3,321 46,710
Fatigue Controls Control Hierarchy Control Description Category Control Type Level 1 Working Hours Preventative (Act) Level 2 Fitness for Work Preventative (Act) Level 3 Task & Environment Preventative (Object) Control Intent Workers are not operating in an impaired state. Control Description Workers deployed on a roster cycle which optimses their ability to present for work in a fit state. Workers present for work in an optimal state. Ergonomic worker / operator positions minimise cognitive loading and limit the onset of fatigue. Site arrangements minimise fatigue loading on Workers. Level 4 Behavioural Preventative (Act) Mitigating (Act) Mitigating (Act) Level 5 Fatigue Proofing Technology Mitigating (Tech System) Worker identifies their performance is becoming impaired and they apply appropriate response (to avoid causing an incident). Impaired workers are Workers identify their performance is impaired and they stop or change withdrawn from line / their tasks - or implement other forms of risk reduction / mitigation. high hazard duties. A colleague obeserves a workers performance is impaired and alerts them to stop or change their task - or implement other forms of risk reduction / mitigation Fatigue monitoring systems alert supervisors and workers of impairment, who then stop or change their tasks.
Predisposing Factors Outcomes Fatigue Risk Management System Fatigue Risk Assessment People Workplace Systems Workplace Culture Level 1 Working hour Standards Level 2 Fitness for work Pre-work impairment Questionnaire Fatigue awarenes s training Work Hour Screening & Arrangements coaching Task desig n Work Hour Monitoring Level 3 Task & Environment Hazard Fatigued Worker Site design Level 4 Preventative response to symptoms Fatigue recognition & response training Personal Risk Assessment Level 5 Fatigue proofing strategies Colleague observation Technology Business Productivity Presenteeism Absenteeism Safety Fatigue Incident Legal Duty of Care Negligence Leadership Workforce Charter Procedure Leadership training Human Physical Mental Emotional Fatigue Management Plan
Change Management versus Fatigue Risk Management System An effective Fatigue Management System will result from the collective ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which create the shared actions against the risk of fatigue. Leadership Culture People Systems
Culture responsibility transparency action support
Fatigue First Aid RADAR BSAFE Clear & demonstrable system with a shared duty of care
Verifying FMRS Effectiveness Level 1 Working hour Standards Level 2 Fitness for work Level 3 Task & Environment Level 4 Preventative response to symptoms Level 5 Fatigue proofing strategies Site Access Control/ Contractor management System Pre-start impairment questionnaire Mine Plan SWMS Personal Fatigue Risk Assessments (Checks) Technology
Questions