March 3, 2023

Toolbox Talk - Fatigue Management

Working in the construction industry is taxing - physically and mentally. It involves heavy lifting, a lot manual labour, long days, sometimes night shifts. A personal fatigue management plan is a must if you're going to be productive everyday on site.

Fatigue Management

Working in the construction industry is taxing - physically and mentally. It involves heavy lifting, a lot of manual labour, long days, sometimes night shifts. A personal fatigue management plan is a must if you're going to be productive every day on site.

Construction work involves high-risk activities. To work safely, construction workers must be physically and mentally alert. On-site, it’s up to you and your teams to manage fatigue.

Fatigue is the condition of being physically and/or mentally tired or worse, exhausted. Extreme fatigue can lead to an uncontrolled and involuntary shutdown of the brain.

How can we manage fatigue?

  • Lack of sleep can be a contributor to fatigue. On average people generally need between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep a night.
  • The best sleep is deep, undisturbed and taken in a single continuous period.
  • Keep a regular schedule by going to sleep and waking up at similar times each day.
  • Avoid using electronic devices like phones or computers before sleeping.
  • Eliminate noise where possible.
  • Avoid eating large meals directly before sleep.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eating & drinking the right stuff.
  • Take all scheduled work breaks. A snack or exercise during the break will refresh you.
  • Work carefully and very methodically, always following proper procedures.
  • Do you drink water regularly throughout the day? Health authorities also recommend drinking at least two litres of water a day.

Things to look for in your co-workers to help identify fatigue:

  • Their job performance slows.
  • They have trouble solving problems.
  • They have trouble focusing
  • They can’t stop yawning.
  • They have a near-miss accident.

Remember team! Safety is a habit!

Any suggestions or improvements in regard to Health & Safety on site can be emailed to our Health & Safety Officer or have a conversation with him on-site when you see him.

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