shift work and fatigue management - pec · pdf fileppt-sm-shift_fatigue 2014 . eliminating and...

PPT-SM-SHIFT_FATIGUE 2014 1

Copyright © 2014 by PEC Safety Management, Inc.

Shift Work and Fatigue Management

PPT-SM-SHIFT_FATIGUE 2014

Shift Work • Shift work refers to working during the

evening, night, and early morning • Shift work includes any shifts worked

outside of 7am to 6pm • Approximately 15.5 million people are

rotating shift workers


Shift Work • It takes about 10 days for your body to

adjust to night shift work • Shift workers get approximately 2-3 less

hours of sleep than those who have a regular sleep pattern from 11pm-7am

• Rotating forward through day, afternoon, and night shift is better for most people


Shift Work Every worker’s body reacts to shift work differently depending on their • Health • Fitness • Age • Lifestyle • Domestic responsibilities


Shift Work Dangers of shift work • Feeling groggy and being less alert • Being less likely to notice dangerous conditions • Having a slower reaction time when responding to

emergencies • Having significantly higher accident and injury

rates • Fatigue


Fatigue • Fatigue is the number one shift work

safety problem • Fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion

that prevents workers from functioning normally

• Not everyone responds to fatigue in the same manner


Sleepiness versus Fatigue • Sleepiness is that normal drowsy feeling after a

long day at work • Sleepiness can be fixed with one night of good

sleep; fatigue cannot • Fatigue is the build-up of lack of sleep, poor

sleep, and working long hours over time • Sleepiness is worsened by sitting or lying down • Fatigue is lessened with adequate rest periods


Fatigue Key principles of fatigue • Fatigue, like other hazards, needs to be

managed • Do not underestimate the risks of fatigue • Employers are legally responsible for

managing risks from fatigue • Changes to work hours must be assessed


Causes of Fatigue Fatigue can be caused by work and non-work related factors • The time of day work takes place • Length of time spent at work • Type and duration of work • Work environment • Quality and quantity of rest before and after work • Family commitments • Second jobs • Individual health factors • Repetitive, monotonous work


At-risk Groups The following groups are at a particularly high risk for fatigue • Night shift employees • Employees working longer than 8 hours per shift • Employees working in extreme temperatures • Employees performing physically intense labor • Employees who must mentally concentrate for long

periods of time • Employees working in noisy environments • Employees performing highly repetitive tasks


Signs of Fatigue Signs of fatigue • Tiredness after sleep • Psychological disturbances • Loss of energy • Inability to concentrate • Reduced coordination • Muscle weakness


Symptoms of Fatigue • On average, shift workers have more

health-related problems than those who work during the day

• Shift work increases the chances for psychological problems – Depression – Alcoholism – Criminal behavior


Symptoms of Fatigue Short-term symptoms include the inability to • Concentrate and avoid distraction • Think analytically • Make decisions • Remember and recall events • Control emotions • Coordinate hand and eye movements • Clearly communicate


Symptoms of Fatigue Long-term symptoms include • Digestive problems • Heart disease • Stress • Mental illness • Obesity • Cardiovascular disease


Eliminating and Reducing Fatigue Consultation between workers and management must occur when • Fatigue has been identified as a hazard in the

workplace • The organization changes work schedules and working

procedures • There are indications of fatigue that affect the health

and safety of workers • A near-miss occurs


Eliminating and Reducing Fatigue Management and worker responsibility • Management

– Ensure risk management processes are in place – Minimize systems of work that could increase fatigue – Allow opportunities for workers to rest throughout their shift – Provide training and information to workers about the signs,

symptoms, and risks related to fatigue – Ensure workers performing shift work are properly supervised – Give workers adequate notice between shift changes and

rotations – Save high-risk work for the day shift when workers are more

alert


Eliminating and Reducing Fatigue Management and worker responsibility • Management

– Give shift workers consecutive days off – Provide quiet, dark rest areas – Provide alternative transportation to and from work to

limit fatigue-related vehicular accidents – Shorten shifts that are over 8 hours long if possible – Don’t provide incentives for overtime shift work – Don’t allow employees to work more than 10 consecutive

shifts without 2 or more days off


Eliminating and Reducing Fatigue

Management and worker responsibility • Workers

– Participate in risk management processes to help reduce fatigue

– Use time off to recuperate if needed – Participate in education and training regarding fatigue – Avoid behaviors that contribute to fatigue – Recognize signs of fatigue and take action



Sleep during the day is of poor quality because of circadian disruptions and environmental factors.



Tips for sleeping • Use blackout curtains and sound insulation on doors

and windows • Maintain a cool environment • Turn phones down or off • Take a shower or relaxing bath • Do everything that you would before a normal night’s

sleep • Read or listen to music



Maintain good health and physical fitness • Maintain a regular sleep schedule • Eat a well-balanced diet • Participate in physical activities during free time • Look for signs of depression and sleep, heart, and

indigestion problems • Spend time with family and friends

PPT-SM-SHIFT_FATIGUE 2014 22

Shift Work/Fatigue Quiz

2014 Safety Meeting

Name: Date:

INSTRUCTIONS: Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

QUIZ-SM-SHIFT/FATIGUE 2014

1. Shift work refers to working during the evening, night, and early morning.

A. true B. false

2. It takes about ________ days for your body to adjust to night shift work. A. 3 B. 6 C. 10 D. 12

3. Every worker’s body reacts to shift work in the same way. A. true B. false

4. The dangers of shift work include ____________________________. A. having a slower reaction time when responding to emergencies B. fatigue C. having significantly higher accident and injury rates D. all of the above

5. What is the number one shift work safety problem? A. workplace violence B. bloodborne pathogens C. fall hazards D. fatigue

6. Fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion that prevents workers from functioning normally. A. true B. false

7. Employers are not legally responsible for managing risks from fatigue.

A. true B. false

8. Fatigue can be caused by the following factors, except _________________.

A. sitting down for too long B. second jobs C. type and duration of work D. quality and quantity of rest before and after work

9. Which of the following is a sign of fatigue? A. inability to concentrate B. tiredness after sleep C. reduced coordination D. all of the above

10. Both management and workers have the responsibility to eliminate and reduce fatigue. A. true B. false

Shift Work/Fatigue Answer Key Below is the answer key for the quiz.

2014 Safety Meeting

KEY-SM-SHIFT/FATIGUE 2014

1. A 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. D 6. A 7. B 8. A 9. D

10. A

This is to certify that

has successfully completed thePEC Safety Meeting

Date AwardedInstructor

Shift Work / Fatigue Management

shift work and fatigue management - pec · pdf fileppt-sm-shift_fatigue 2014 . eliminating and...

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