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Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Regulations

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Risk-based Fatigue Management at Mines

Part A: The Guideline

1. Foreword

 

1.1 Fatigue is more than simply feeling tired or drowsy. It is caused by prolonged periods of physical and/or mental exertion without enough time to rest and recover.

 

1.2 Fatigue is associated with multiple factors which among others include spending long periods of time awake and having an inadequate amount and/or quality of sleep over an extended period.

 

1.3 Fatigue can significantly affect an individual's capacity to function. Its side-effects include decreased performance and productivity, and increased potential for injuries to occur.

 

1.4 Fatigue management is a responsibility that must be shared between employer and employee - it involves factors that occur both in and outside of the workplace.

 

1.5 The aim of this Guideline is to provide a framework to assist the employer of every mine to prepare a risk-based Code of Practice (COP) on Fatigue Management.