HP in Workload, Stress and Fatigue

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Never underestimate the risks of fatigue. Fatigue can result in decreased awareness and slower reactions, 'memory lapses' and a reduced ability to process safety critical information.

Fatigue is a decline in mental and/or physical performance caused by factors such as prolonged exertion, excessive and poorly designed shift patterns, body clock disruption and sleep deprivation. It is also related to workload. Personnel are more likely to become fatigued if their work is machine-paced, complex or monotonous.

A variety of tools and techniques are available to assist in the assessment and management of wellbeing at the worksite. Application of these tools will identify opportunities to consider Human Performance principles in addressing Human Factors.

The content for this section is currently under development. If you have any questions or feedback, or wish to share your approach in this area, please email us at admin@hpog.org

Meantime you may wish to look at the resources below:

Energy Institute paper Guidance on Managing Fatigue.

Awareness of the difference between physical and mental workload.

Awareness of the signs, symptoms and contributors to worker fatigue, stress and control measures found in EI briefing notes number 5 and number 19.

Energy Institute video presentation on Sleep Matters.

Awareness of HSE guidance on stress.