Fatigue Management

Fatigue in the workplace is a dangerous condition in which an individual may not make good decisions or react quickly enough. This course will describe situations or conditions that lead to fatigue, and how employers and employees can take steps to minimize the possible negative effects of fatigue.

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Course Details

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:
  • Describe the dangers of fatigue
  • Describe the characteristics of fatigue and list some common symptoms
  • Define circadian rhythm and shift work disorder
  • Describe the responsibilities of both employers and employees for preventing fatigue
  • Describe the purpose of fatigue risk management systems
  • Identify ways to minimize the risks of fatigue

Specs

Course Level Intermediate
Languages English
Compatibility Audio, Video
Based on: Industry Standards and Best Practices

Author

Vector Solutions

With over two decades of experience designing advanced 3D animated courseware and developing our proprietary learning management software, we pride ourselves by having developed over 1,000 safety and operations training modules, which have helped train over 250,000 workers worldwide. Our highly experienced team provides the industry with a simple and high-quality means of training their workforce. Whether your team consists of 25 people or an enterprise with thousands, we’re here to help.

Key Questions

What is the definition of fatigue?
A state of feeling tired, weary, or sleepy that results from a loss of sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of anxiety, or exposure to a harsh environment.

What are the effects of fatigue?
Fatigue can cause reduced alertness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment.

What are the causes of fatigue?
Fatigue can be caused by a number of things, but a lack of restorative sleep is a major cause of fatigue.

What is a circadian rhythm?
Your circadian rhythm is an internal clock that causes you to be sleepy at night and awake during the day.

What is shift worker disorder?
Shift worker disorder is a sleep disorder that affects shift workers with irregular sleep patterns. Those affected may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep and may still feel tired after sleeping.

Sample Video Transcript

Fatigue leads to an impairment in task performance and is a serious threat to workplace safety. According to OSHA, the risk of injury is 30% greater on night shifts compared to day shifts and fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor in some of the most significant disasters of our time: The Three Mile Island nuclear accident, the grounding of the oil tanker Exxon Valdez off the coast of Alaska, and the BP Texas City Refinery explosion. The most important effects of fatigue are: • Reduced alertness • Impaired ability to concentrate • Slowed reaction time • Problems with memory and information processing • Poor judgment Research has shown that the number of hours awake can be related to blood alcohol levels. WorkSafeBC in Canada reported that: • 17 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05 • 21 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.08 (the legal limit for driving in many states)

Course Applies To

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