Four Essential Steps for Managing Fatigue
Fatigue—feeling excessively tired or drowsy—is an inevitable part of life and often affects workers in the tourism and hospitality industry. Given the dynamic nature of the industry, with its long hours, high guest interactions, and physically demanding tasks, fatigue can become a significant issue. While it’s a common experience, fatigue poses a risk to both physical and psychological safety, potentially leading to increased incidents and injuries.
Employers have a crucial role in managing fatigue-related risks in the workplace. Recognizing and addressing these risks is essential not only for maintaining physical safety but also for supporting a healthy, psychologically safe workforce. Incorporating effective fatigue management strategies into your risk assessment process is key.
Here are four steps to effectively address workplace fatigue:
- Identify fatigue-inducing activities such as:
- Managing a steady flow of guests with quality customer service
- Enduring long, physically demanding, and irregular shifts
- Determine the level of risk and the potential for harm involved in different workplace activities when workers are fatigued.
- Implement physical and psychological controls, such as:
- Flexible scheduling options to encourage work-life balance and rotations that minimize the effects of fatigue
- Training sessions on causes and consequences of fatigue, reporting procedures, signs and symptoms (irritability, sleepiness, unusual mood changes, increased vulnerability to illness)
- Access to your workplace Employee Assistance Program and mental health resources
- Good lighting, comfortable temperatures, and reasonable noise levels
- Communicate, monitor, and update:
- Conduct regular reviews of existing controls to ensure their ongoing effectiveness
- Encourage worker participation and engagement on the topic of fatigue, utilizing worker interviews, surveys, or focus groups
By implementing these steps to manage workplace fatigue, we can create a safer and more supportive environment. Prioritizing open conversations and fostering a culture that values everyone’s well-being will enhance overall workplace health and productivity.
Additional Resources
- The CCOHS poster on fatigue outlines the definition, signs, and risks of workplace fatigue. It emphasizes how fatigue can impair performance and safety, and provides practical strategies for managing it, such as taking regular breaks and ensuring adequate rest.
- The page offers guidance on identifying fatigue, implementing preventive measures, and creating a fatigue management plan to protect workers and improve overall safety.