Fatigue in the Workplace: What You Should Know

When you think of common safety hazards in the workplace, fatigue probably isn't the first to come to mind. But whether it's in the medical industry, construction, food service, manufacturing or practically any other sector, worker fatigue is a very real hazard that results in thousands of injuries each year.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employees who work the evening shifts are 18% more likely to sustain an injury while on the job compared to their counterparts who work day shifts. Furthermore, OSHA states that night shift workers are up to 30% more likely to sustain an injury while on the job. This is presumably because of fatigue -- workers who are fatigued have slower reaction times and clouded cognitive thinking, which can place them at a greater risk of injury.

OSHA also cites a 2005 study of more than 2,700 medical residents, in which researchers found that extended shifts increased the risk of a motor vehicle accident during healthcare workers' commute by 16.2%. Statistics such as this attest to the dangers of worker fatigue.

While it's nearly impossible to avoid all forms of work-related fatigue, there are steps you can take to manage it.

Here are some tips to prevent worker fatigue:

• Take regular breaks, regardless of whether they are mandatory or optional.
• Get plenty of sleep, striving for a minimum of 7-8 hours of shut-eye per night.
• When using a computer, don't stare at the monitor for long periods of time. Look away and close your eyes for a few minutes every 30-45 minutes.
• Allow your mind to rest and relax; thus, relieving stress and anxiety.
• Don't push yourself if you feel fatigued.
• Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet to supply your body with the energy it needs.
• Employers should rotate day/night shifts between workers.
• Avoid allocating overtime hours after the evening.
• Ensure workers are given the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their respective jobs.

The bottom line is that worker fatigue is a serious safety hazard in the workplace. It causes or otherwise contributes to thousands of work-related injuries each year. By following the tips outlined above, however, you can protect against worker fatigue and its associated problems.