The COP should set a process for determining general considerations for fatigue management.
Human fatigue is multifactorial and from a health and safety perspective, fatigue is most appropriately conceptualised as either work related or non-work related.
8.1.1.1 Work-related causes
Common workplace issues that can cause fatigue include:
| • |
Work time arrangements; |
| • |
High physical workloads; |
| • |
Poor ergonomic design of workstations and equipment. |
| 8.1.1.2 |
Non-work-related causes |
Non-work-related causes that are variable on an individual level include the following:
| (a) |
Undiagnosed medical conditions - many diseases and disorders can trigger fatigue, including: |
| • |
Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome; |
| • |
Chronic fatigue syndrome; |
| (b) |
Living conditions (housing and nutrition). |
| (c) |
Alcohol and substance abuse. |
It is the responsibility of employees to inform the employers of any health condition or medication they are on.
| 8.1.1.3 |
Total worker fatigue |
The fatigue experienced by an individual is usually an accumulation of several of the above factors and can be expressed in the following equation:
FT = FSS + FEW + FPF
Where;
| FSS = |
fatigue caused by the shift system/work time arrangements |
| FEW = |
fatigue caused by poo ergonomics, environmental and work factors |
| FPF = |
fatigue caused by personal factors such as insufficient/poor sleep, health, nutrition and personal lifestyle. |
Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972
