Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
Course Overview
Fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion that stops a person from being able to function normally. It can result in markedly reduced performance and reduced ability to carry out a task safely and effectively. It is therefore an occupational hazard that can pose a serious risk to your own health and safety and that of those around you. Both, employers and employees have the duty of managing fatigue effectively. This does not only include controlling its adverse effects, but also preventing its occurrence in the workplace.
This module has been developed to give a better understanding of what fatigue is, the factors that cause it, and how fatigue can be managed to reduce the risks it imposes to health and safety in the workplace.
Key Content- Fatigue and OHS Legislation: Duty of Care and Fit for Duty.
- Risk management approach to manage fatigue.
- What is fatigue?
- What are its causes and symptoms?
- Circadian rhythms and sleep debt.
- Common causes of fatigue in the workplace.
- Consequences of fatigue in the workplace.
- Fatigue and health.
- Shift work, roster management and adequate sleep.
- Driver fatigue.
- Diet and fatigue.
- General tips for reducing fatigue.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, learners should be able to:- Explain Duty of Care and Fit for Duty principles in relation to fatigue.
- Discuss causes and symptoms of fatigue.
- Explain circadian rhythms and the concept of sleep debt.
- Describe the safety consequences of fatigue in the workplace.
- Explain the relationship between fatigue and overall health.
- Prevent and manage fatigue effectively.