Fatigue Safety Toolbox Talk
Fatigue can be a serious safety hazard. In this toolbox talk, learn tips for preventing and managing fatigue in the workplace.
Fatigue at Work Safety Talk
While at work you are responsible for the safety of yourself as well as the safety of your coworkers and others around you. Being tired on the job is a huge problem for workers. If you can not fully function and perform your job duties correctly you are putting yourself and your coworkers at risk for injury.
In the construction field, workers with no sleep can make crucial mistakes and cause serious injuries with machines as well as tools. This is why it is important to know the causes and signs of fatigue as well as how to prevent it.
What Is Fatigue?
Fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. In simple terms, it is the feeling of being tired or exhausted. Fatigue can leave workers performing at lower levels and exposes them to a higher risk of injury. It is important to prevent fatigue while on the job and to keep everyone safe.
Fatigue in the Workplace Statistics
Fatigue can have disastrous consequences in the workplace, especially in the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. When a worker's alertness level is affected, the incident rate of errors dramatically increases and these mistakes can result in injuries or even death. Some frightening statistics about workplace fatigue are as follows:
Causes of Fatigue
Fatigue at work is more than just a feeling of being sleepy. It is a cocktail of feeling exhausted, low energy, sleepiness, and muddy thinking. Fatigue at work can stem from many things. The causes can include:
No matter what the cause of fatigue is for a worker it can cause errors and accidents and the root of it needs to be found and dealt with.
Symptoms of Fatigue
Fatigue at work is mental and physical exhaustion and related symptoms include:
If you are suffering from fatigue at work it is important to let your supervisor know.
How to Prevent Fatigue at Work
Everyone gets tired at work. But if you find that it is a persistent problem it is time to look at ways to prevent fatigue. You first need to figure out the cause of it, then try to pinpoint a solution.
How to Manage Fatigue
If you are feeling fatigued at work there are a few fatigue management practices you can try in the moment:
If you are feeling fatigued at work, talk to your supervisor. You may need to take a break to recharge your energy levels. You should not operate heavy machinery or any tools when you are feeling tired.
The risk of injuries to yourself and your coworkers drastically increases when you are working with a cloudy mind and tired body. If you are having trouble getting sleep at night or figuring out the cause of your fatigue, talk to your doctor.
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