Workplace Fatigue

Workplace Fatigue: Don’t Sleep on It

Employee fatigue, a widespread major concern in the workplace, increases the risk of accidents and injuries, reduces productivity, and causes employee absenteeism. According to the National Safety Council, more than 43% of workers are sleep deprived. Predictably, this problem increases for workers who do shift work and/or take night shifts.

Fatigue is more than just feeling tired. By definition, fatigue refers to mental or physical exhaustion that reduces one’s capacity to perform work safely and e ectively. Signs of fatigue include tiredness or sleepiness, irritability, reduced alertness or memory, increased mistakes or lapses in judgement, and lack of motivation.

Employees certainly play a role in preventing fatigue and some causes go beyond the workplace. However, there are still several ways employers can reduce fatigue at work. Here are some tips to successful fatigue risk management:

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When shift scheduling, develop consistent schedules with frequent breaks, and schedule no more than four night shifts in a row

Balance workloads and proper sta ng

Develop a report system for fatigue-related incidents

Train employees on fatigue and the management of sleep disorders

Train supervisors and managers on monitoring and identifying fatigue in workers

By identifying fatigue and taking proactive measures before it becomes an issue, you can ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for your entire team.

LWCC remains dedicated to helping our state thrive, as we continue to better Louisiana one business and one worker at a time. Learn more about our commitment to Louisiana at louisianaloyal.com. LWCC delivers best-in-class workers’ comp insurance, focused not just on life-long care of the injured worker, but providing improved safety, health, and wellness to workers across the state. We are Louisiana Loyal. Always.

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