Blog
Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
June 13th, 2014
Fatigue is a contributing factor to thousands of driving accidents in the U.S. every year. According to one study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver fatigue contributes to around 100,000 annual accidents, resulting in an estimated 1,550 deaths. We all know not to drive tired: laws are in place to restrain professional drivers from long, sleepless hauls. We encourage tired vacationers to stop and pull over lest they risk a crash. Being well-rested and healthy is an important standard for drivers, and it is just as important in manufacturing environments.
Unlike many other workplace hazards, employee fatigue is only partially in an employer’s control—whether an employee is well-rested is ultimately the employee’s choice. However, there are some measures a business can take to reduce the perils of exhaustion on the job.
First and foremost, it is an employer’s responsibility to ensure proper ergonomics in the workplace. For many operators, shifts involve repetitive motions with continual strain on the same sets of muscles and bones. To combat this type of fatigue, make sure that machines on-site are at a reasonable height for each worker, and make adjustments when necessary. A number of factors are involved in proper ergonomics, and more information can be found here.
Another way to combat workplace fatigue is to be mindful when scheduling employees, especially in environments with multiple shifts in a day. Employers should be proactive, and a good practice when adjusting shifts is to use a forward shift rotation. Employees should have appropriate breaks, and be aware of the support resources available to them.
Lastly, be aware of your employees and their energy levels. Like a driver will exhibit certain behaviors when he or she is tired on the road, workers will also show signs of exhaustion that can lead to a terrible accident.
Ultimately, workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility, and successfully managing fatigue in the workplace leads to a safer, more efficient manufacturing environment.