Guidance about preventing and managing fatigue

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

What is fatigue?

Fatigue in a work context is more than feeling tired and drowsy. It is a state of mental or physical exhaustion (or both) that reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively.

Symptoms of fatigue include:

  • slower reactions
  • reduced ability to process information
  • memory lapses
  • absent-mindedness
  • decreased awareness
  • lack of attention
  • reduced ability to identify and calculate risk
  • reduced coordination
  • changes in behaviour (e.g. arriving late for work).

Why is fatigue a problem in the workplace

Fatigue can result in:

  • errors and accidents
  • ill-health and injury
  • reduced productivity
  • low team morale.

What can contribute to fatigue?

Fatigue can be caused by factors that are work related, not related to work, or a combination of both. The effects can accumulate over time.

Fatigue may result from prolonged or intense mental or physical activity, sleep loss or extended wakefulness, or disruption of a person’s body clock (e.g. through shift work). It is also related to workload because workers are more easily fatigued if their work is machine-paced, complex or monotonous.

What can be done about fatigue?

Both the employer and worker have responsibilities to manage the risks from fatigue.

Employers should conduct a risk assessment that takes into account the fatigue risk factors relevant to their operation and develop a fatigue management plan.

The fatigue management plan should aim to maintain alertness and guard against fatigue.

Workers need to take responsibility for their own health and safety by adhering to relevant policies and procedures outlined in the fatigue management plan.

Frequently asked questions on preventing and managing fatigue on Western Australian mining operations - information sheet - 1033 Kb

This information sheet outlines the frequently asked questions on preventing and managing fatigue on Western Australian mining operations.

Guidance material

The toolbox presentations listed below provide strategies and links to useful documents on fatigue and management strategies.

Fatigue, shift structures and working hours (2013) - 11918 Kb

This toolbox presentation explains what is fatigue, how to prevent and manage fatigue and how to manage shift schedules to manage the risks of shift work.

Prevention and management of fatigue in the workplace (2012) - 12637 Kb

This toolbox presentation is a guide to the prevention and management of fatigue in the workplace.

Nodding off - what rest works? (2009) - 4773 Kb

This toolbox presentation looks at the importance of rest and what rest works.

Related information

Please refer to the following links:

Worksafe has developed a suite of information about managing fatigue in the workplace, particularly in relation to driver fatigue.

Safe Work Australia has guidance for general industry on preventing and managing fatigue, as well as a code of practice on managing the work environment and facilities.

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries’ Mine Safety program has a package of fatigue resources for the mining and extractive industry.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a collection of guidance on human factors, including fatigue and shift work.

The UK Energy Institute has a collection of guidance on human factors, including fatigue and shift work.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has an online site dedicated to fatigue risk management. The tools and information available include a presentation on measuring fatigue.

The Sleep Health Foundation is a national organisation devoted to education, advocacy and supporting research into sleep and its disorders. It has a series of fact sheets on sleep-related topics.