Fatigue is generally considered to be a decline in mental and/or physical performance that results from prolonged exertion, sleep loss and/or disruption of a person’s ‘internal clock’. Worker fatigue can result in:

• lack of attention
• slower reactions
• reduced co-ordination
• decreased awareness
• underestimation of risk
• memory lapses or absent-mindedness
• a reduced ability to process information

We have seen the evidence of fatigue over many years with disasters such as 26th  April, 1986, where the Chernobyl Power Plant exploded. Fatigue was a key factor with long hours, tight deadlines, and working at night. It’s safe to assume that we all, at one point, have put in a few extra hours at work to meet a project deadline! However the investigators concluded that fatigue (due to 13-hour shifts) was a leading contributor to the human error that led to the explosion. A flawed reactor design was also to blame.

Fast forward to 9th November 2016, Sixty-nine passengers were on-board a tram, bound for Wimbledon via Croydon, when it over-turned and crashed near Sandilands tram stop in south London.  The tram was travelling at nearly triple the speed limit when it derailed. During the initial inquest, the foreman of the jury said: “The tram driver became disorientated, which caused loss of awareness in his surroundings, probably due to a lack of sleep. As a result of which, the driver failed to brake in time and drove his tram towards a tight curve at excessive speed.”

Fatigue can arise as a result of excessive working time or poorly designed shift patterns. It is also related to workload, since workers are more easily fatigued if their work is machine-paced, complex or monotonous. With changing working patterns experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic, the blurring of home and work activities and hybrid working are all factors which could contribute to higher levels of fatigue.

At Gateway we have a suite of resources to help organisations better manage fatigue. From an initial gap analysis to development of a Fatigue Risk Management System, raising awareness of fatigue and ongoing training, we have a suite of tools to help you.

We are very excited to launch two new e-learning modules on fatigue:

• General Fatigue Awareness
• Fatigue Management for Line Managers

Please get in touch if you would like to find out more!