Beating fatigue (why companies and organizations must understand the health and safety issue of tiredness among employees)

Citation

Johnson, J. (2011), "Beating fatigue (why companies and organizations must understand the health and safety issue of tiredness among employees)", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2011.04419cad.005

Beating fatigue (why companies and organizations must understand the health and safety issue of tiredness among employees)

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 19, Issue 3

Johnson J.The RoSPA Occupational Safety & Health Journal (UK), November 2010, Vol. 40 No. 11, Start page: 27, No. of pages: 4

Focuses on the need for companies and organizations to understand the causes of tiredness among their employees and to manage fatigue in the same way as any other workplace hazard. Reviews the nature of workplace tiredness and its causes, particularly in relation to the sleeping patterns of employees and the need for them to achieve adequate sleep and rest in a world that is increasingly dominated by the difficulties of achieving a suitable work-life balance in a “24/7 society”. Discusses the ways in which fatigue manifests itself in the workplace, including poor concentration, and difficulty in making decisions. Spotlights some of the workplace practices which put employees at a higher risk, including: shift workers, with specific tiredness hazards associated with night shift workers; working long hours at a stretch; specific aspects of the working environment; and driving motor vehicles. Describes some of the ways in which these risks can be managed and minimized while indicating some of the tools provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), such as the Fatigue/Risk Index, which helps employers assess the levels of fatigue associated with different shift patterns. Includes concise tips on reducing tiredness, a list of symptoms of fatigue, and some good practice guidance on shift roster design.ISSN: 1474-7952Reference: 40AA241

Keywords: Occupational health and safety, Fatigue (human), Employees, Organizations, United Kingdom