Fatigue and Shift Work
Lets look at how shiftwork and fatigue can affect our employees. On average shift workers lose 1 and a half hours of sleep for each 24-hour period. This builds up to a sleep debt of 6 hours after 4 nights. Working more than three or four night shifts in a row is likely to cause a significant sleep debt, with serious consequences for safety. Safety is affected because with rising fatigue levels, the chance for an error or lapse increases.
Fatigue affects safety and productivity
- Turnover rates are three times higher at shiftwork operation than day-only operations
- Shiftworkers account for 20% more insurance claims and costs than their daytime counterparts
- Excessive overtime decreases efficiency
- Relative productivity decreases by 5% at night
- Shift workers are more than twice as likely to be absent from work than daytime only employees (4.9% versus 2.1%)
- Shiftworkers are at a greater risk for sleep apnoea, heart disease, mental health disorders and obesity
Long term health impact of fatigue on staff
However, clearly some businesses will need to operate a 24/7 schedule (this is just the nature of the beast), and people will need to work around the clock. The solution however to maintaining a healthy and productive workforce is to implement a solid and proactive fatigue management system that educates and creates an environment where people have the ability to better manage their personal fatigue levels. If you are looking at building a long term, efficient workforce then you need a healthy workforce.
For more information have a look at these other fatigue videos or contact us directly (email below) or via the Contact Us page.
