...
Poor job performance can be related to something that may have little to do with work: Fatigue. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), sleep deprivation is a widespread problem in America.
Inadequate sleep can lead to making mistakes, being impatient, not getting along with others and can make a person more prone to unsafe behavior. Employers can confront the problem by letting their workers know about the hazards of sleep deprivation and what they can do to prevent it.
Scope
OSHA does not have regulations on fatigue, but recognizes the hazards of fatigue and extended work hours. Irregular and extended shifts are common among healthcare providers, transportation workers, first responders, firefighters, police officers, military personnel, construction workers, oil field workers, service and hospitality workers and many others.
Regulatory citations
- None
Key definitions
- None
Summary of requirements
Long work hours and irregular work shifts are common. Many American workers spend over 40 hours a week at work and millions work full time on evening, night, rotating or other irregular shifts. Work schedules like these may cause worker fatigue.
Shift workers may be scheduled to work days, evenings, nights and/or on a rotating or on-call basis. They may work extended shifts (more than 8 hours long), rotating or irregular shifts, or consecutive shifts resulting in more than the typical 40-hour work week. Long work hours may increase the risk of injuries and accidents and can contribute to poor health and worker fatigue. Studies show that long work hours can result in increased levels of stress, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and illness.
Several factors contribute to fatigue, including too little, poor quality, or interrupted sleep over a period of time. Long work hours and extended and irregular shifts may be stressful physically, mentally, and emotionally. The body is naturally programmed for sleeping during night hours. Demanding work schedules may disrupt the body’s natural cycle, leading to increased fatigue, stress, and lack of concentration.
Employers can reduce the risk of worker fatigue in the workplace by:
- Examining staffing issues such as workload, work hours, understaffing and worker absences which can contribute to worker fatigue.
- Arranging schedules to allow frequent opportunities for rest breaks and nighttime sleep.
- Making adjustments to the work environment such as lighting, temperature, and physical surroundings to increase alertness.
- Providing worker education and training addressing the hazards of worker fatigue, the symptoms of worker fatigue, the impact of fatigue on health and relationships, adequate quality and quantity of sleep and the importance of diet, exercise and stress management strategies to minimize the adverse effects of fatigue.
Workers can promote restful, healthy sleep by following sleep hygiene recommendations. Here are some suggestions:
- Make sure your sleep period is 7 to 9 hours daily without disruptions.
- Try to sleep at the same time every day.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine prior to bedtime to improve sleep quality.
- If working evening or nights, make sure that sleep has occurred within the last 8 hours before going to work.
- If napping before work, make sure that the duration is less than 45 minutes or greater than 2 hours to allow for a complete sleep/wake cycle.
- Make sure that the sleeping environment is comfortable, cool, dark and quiet.
- Exercise regularly. Eat a balanced diet. Maintain a healthy weight.
- If you have difficulty sleeping, keep a sleep diary and talk to your doctor.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers should recognize these warning signs of drowsy driving:
- You can’t stop yawning.
- You have trouble keeping your eyes open and focused, especially at stop lights.
- Your mind wanders, or you have disconnected thoughts.
- You can’t remember driving the last few miles.
- Your driving becomes sloppy — you weave between lanes, tailgate, miss traffic signals, or hit the grooves or rumble strips on the side of the road.