All I want for Christmas is a good night's sleep

On the 4th day of Christmas... I was exhausted and needed a rest!

A 2022 survey has revealed that 42% of working adults are feeling more exhausted than ever before.

Fatigue is an extremely important human factor in the workplace and like any other hazard it needs to be managed.

So what really is fatigue? Generally it is classed as a decline in an individuals mental and/or physical performance which is brought about by numerous causes including, sleep loss, prolonged periods of exertion and a disruption of the body's internal clock.

The risks posed by fatigue should not be underestimated. Accident statistics clearly show that fatigue can lead to workplace errors, accidents, ill-health, injury and overall reduced productivity.

This is because fatigued workers are more likely to suffer from:

• slower reactions;
• decreased awareness;
• underestimation of risk;
• memory lapses;
• reduced attention span; and
• reduced co-ordination.

Root cause analysis of major accidents have shown that fatigue was a factor in such incidents as the tragedies of Herald of Free Enterprise, Chernobyl, and Exxon Valdez.

Statistics

A 2020 whitepaper on 'Sleep and fatigue in UK working populations' discovered some worrying statistics:

• 81% of UK workers do not feel as though they achieve enough sleep;
• 66% of workers sleep less than the recommended seven hours before work;
• 35% of workers obtain less than six hours of sleep prior to work;
• 50% of workers are ‘at risk’ of insomnia;

They found that workers averaging less than seven hours sleep prior to work are at much higher risk of driving whilst drowsy during their commute, and 38% of workers reported having had an accident or near miss commuting because of drowsiness.

In their findings they stated that: "Short sleeping is costing the UK economy £11.8bn per annum solely in absenteeism and presenteeism. That works out at £36,011 per 100 workers each year."

Now we can all be prone to spells where we just feel exhausted, especially during the winter months and the hectic run up to Christmas. Although fatigue can have often have causes outside of the workplace, with personal problems and young children, etc keeping many employees awake at night, it is important to be aware of things we can manage in the workplace to reduce the risks posed by fatigue.

Shift work

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than 3.5 million people are employed as shiftworkers in the UK.

Shift-working arrangements that are poorly designed and long working hours don't balance working demands with time for proper rest and recovery, and can consequently result in fatigue, ill health, accidents and injuries. HSE statistics show that there is a higher incidence of accidents and injuries:

• on night shifts;
• after a succession of shifts;
• when shifts are are long and there are inadequate breaks.

Workers who undertake work tasks that are complex, machine-paced or monotonous are also more easily fatigued at work.

There is a legal duty on employers to manage fatigue like any other workplace hazard. It is not enough for employers to simply say that they comply with the Working Time Regulations. Regardless of employees willingness to work certain shift patterns or work extra hours, the risks from fatigue must be properly managed.

Some best practice for managing the impact of shift work includes:

• developing a policy that specifically addresses and sets limits on working hours, overtime and shift-swapping, and which guards against fatigue;
• consulting with employees on working hours and shift patterns;
• careful planning of shiftwork to try and account for its effect on biological rhythms;
• avoiding and reducing the amount of safety critical tasks undertaken on nightshifts;
• providing adequate breaks of sufficient length;
• work task rotation to alleviate boredom;
• giving information to shiftworkers on the risks, sleep routines, proper nutrition, exercise, effects in family and social life;
• design changes to the workplace which can improve employee alertness, e.g. temperature, lighting;
• reviewing maximum hours of duty and allowing time for recovery;
• providing medical advice for workers, particularly those with existing health conditions.

The following guidance documents are particularly useful:

• Managing shiftwork - HSG 256;
• Reducing error and influencing behaviour - HSG 48;
• Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 - Chapter 3 of Part 6: Night Work and Shift Work - HSA 0258;
• Guidance for Employers and Employees on Night and Shift Work - HSA 0382.

Driving

Fatigue is a risk to be aware of when it comes to driving at work. It poses a risk not only to those who drive for work, but is also a risk for workers on their commute and driving home after work.

63% of workers who drive as part of their commute have admitted to driving while drowsy at least a few times a month.

Statistics also show that fatigue has been a cause in 20% of accidents on major roads. To put this in to monetary terms this equates to up to £240 million a year in work accidents alone.

Health and safety law applies to those who undertake work activities on the road and so it is the duty of the employer to ensure this is properly risk assessed and managed.

When assessing the risks from driving at work, employers must:

• identify the hazards - one of these potential hazards is fatigue;
• decide who might be harmed and how;
• evaluate the risks;
• record findings.

Ensuring you have a:

• safe driver;
• safe vehicles; and
• safe journey,

will help effectively manage work-related road safety.

In terms of fatigue and ensuring a safe driver, consideration should be given to informing drivers of the risks from being tired behind the wheel. Employees who feel tired when driving should be encouraged to stop, pull over somewhere safely and rest. 

When it comes to ensuring a safe journey, employers should consider advising driver who work long or irregular hours of the dangers posed by fatigue on their drive home if excessively tired. In some circumstances employers should encourage alternative arrangements for employees to avoid this such as an overnight stay, particularly where they are working away.

Whilst employers duties under health and safety law don't apply to employees commuting to their usual place of work, it is in your interest as an employer to make sure your employees arrive to work and make it back home again safely.

The following guidance documents are helpful:

• INDG382 - Driving at work;
• Managing Driving for Work: My Responsibilities - Information Sheet.