Exposure to environmental stressors, physical strain and work stress play an important role in the development of fatigue. To assess the fatigue risks caused by these factors, they should be examined in detail (Table 1.2).
Table 1.2:
Risk assessment of environmental and work factors
|
Risk factor
|
Consideration
|
|
Repetitive or monotonous work
|
| • |
Do jobs involve repetitive or monotonous work, e.g. haul truck driving? |
|
|
Sustained physical or mental effort
|
| • |
Is the work physically demanding? |
| • |
Is there time pressure due to a heavy workload? |
| • |
Can workers vary work pace or work tasks as desired? |
| • |
Do workers have a say over work tasks or how to carry them out? |
|
|
Complex physical or mental tasks
|
| • |
Are high vigilance and/or concentration required? |
| • |
Are there different demands that can be difficult to combine? |
| • |
Are complex, difficult or strenuous tasks required at the end of shifts or shift cycles? |
|
|
Adverse working conditions
|
| • |
Are there adverse working conditions, e.g.: |
| • |
Exposure to hazardous substances? |
| • |
Restricted ceiling heights? |
| • |
Travel distances to workplace facilities. |
|
Older Persons Act, 2006
