OMAG in Action: Volume 2
OMAG in Action: Volume 1
January 2022 Risk and Safety Newsletter
July 2021 Risk and Safety Newsletter
May 2021 Risk and Safety Newsletter
7 Signs of Fatigue and How it Affects the Workplace
Fatigue doesn’t just cause workers to feel more tired, it also increases the risk of accidents and injuries, reduces productivity, and causes absenteeism. Research has shown that spending 17 hours awake is equivalent to having a blood alcohol level of 0.05, and 24 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.10. You’d never let an employee operate heavy machinery with that much alcohol in their system, yet fatigued workers routinely engage in difficult or hazard-heavy work.
In the context of safety and health, fatigue refers to mental or physical exhaustion that reduces a person’s capacity to perform work safely and effectively. The causes, however, aren’t always work related. Some of the most common reasons for fatigue include:
Prolonged or intense mental or physical activity
Sleep loss or disrupted sleep
Travel
Organizational change
Irregular work scheduling or excessively long shifts
Strenuous activity
Long commutes to and from work
Working in extremely hot or cold environments
How to tell if a worker is fatigued
Fatigued workers can put themselves and others at risk of injury. It is important for managers and supervisors to know the signs of fatigue and watch out for these symptoms in their employees.
Tired, Weariness, or Sleepiness – Drooping heads, incessant yawning, and eyelids that seem to be closing are the most obvious indicators that a worker is fatigued and needs time to recover before costly errors or accidents happen.
Irritability – Workers can be irritable for many reasons, including problems at home, financial stress, conflict with coworkers, etc. Another reason may be the lack of rest. It is a good idea to watch for patterns of irritability or a newly developed “bad attitude,” especially when combined with other signs on the list above.
Reduced Alertness, Concentration, or Memory – Watch for workers who appear to have trouble focusing or who can’t recall seemingly simple things, like what they just said or did. Having difficulty solving problems can also be an indicator of fatigue.
Lack of Motivation – Employees who appear to suddenly lack motivation to do their job, and do it well, may seem lazy but this is generally a sign of broader issues, including fatigue.
Increased Mistakes or Lapses in Judgment – If a worker who is otherwise proven to be competent and good at their job starts making frequent errors or poor choices, it might be a sign of sleep deprivation or fatigue.
Headaches – Headaches are a sign of fatigue, but they can also be a sign of dehydration. Before deciding it is fatigue, make sure all workers are adequately hydrated on the job, even when it is not hot outside.
Increased Susceptibility to Illness – Workers who are suddenly taking more time off due to illness may be experiencing fatigue. Insufficient sleep wears the body down and affects a person’s ability to fight colds, flu, and other illnesses. With an increase in fatigue, it’s not uncommon to see a rise in absenteeism.
Proactively Addressing Worker Fatigue
Employees certainly play a role in preventing fatigue and some of the causes go beyond the workplace, but there are a number of things employers can do to reduce fatigue at work. An effective approach to fatigue risk management should involve some or all of the following:
Shift scheduling: consistent schedules, frequent breaks, two consecutive days off each week, and no more than four night shifts in a row
Balancing workloads and staffing
Developing a reporting system for fatigue related incidents
Workplace design: cool atmosphere, low humidity, natural light, minimal noise/vibrations
Employee training on fatigue and managing sleep disorders
Supervisor and management training on monitoring and identifying fatigue in workers
Offering an insurance plan that covers sleep disorders or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) so workers can get information and counselling to assist them in ways to recover from fatigue issues. All municipalities with OMAG insurance plans are eligible to use New Directions Employee Assistance Program at no charge to the employee or municipality. Contact Monica Coleman at (800) 234-9461 for more information.
By identifying fatigue and taking a proactive approach to deal with it before it becomes an issue, you can ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for your entire workforce.
March 2021 Risk and Safety Newsletter
Playground Safety Inspections
January and February are great times to have OMAG Risk Management Services come out and do a playground safety inspection at your municipality’s local parks. This is a free service. After the inspection is complete you will receive a written report with pictures and recommendations concerning any hazardous conditions found in your playground facilities. To schedule an inspection or get more information about the Playground Inspection Program, contact Kip Prichard, OMAG Risk Management Specialist.
Workplace Violence & Security: Are Your Employees Safe?
Is your office, shop, or plant prepared to deal with a workplace violence incident? Are your field workers? If you aren’t sure or think it is unlikely to occur, consider this: According to OSHA, some 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence every year. Workplace violence can strike anywhere and anytime, and no one is immune.
Workplace violence can take place at or outside of work. It is defined as violence or the threat of violence against workers. Violence in the work environment can range from threats, verbal abuse, harassment, to physical assault and homicide.
Certain workers are at higher risk according to OSHA. These include, but are not limited to, workers who exchange money with the public, who work alone or in small groups, and who work early in the morning or late at night. Also, workers in certain industries (healthcare, social services, municipal utilities, law enforcement, retail, and in-home installations) are at increased risk.
It is important to acknowledge workplace violence as a real threat and take it seriously. The best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by employees. OSHA advises employers to create a Workplace Violence Prevention Program (OSHA/PEOSH standards) and ensure all employees are trained on it and thoroughly understand policies and procedures concerning it.
Here are some other tips for keeping workers safe:
Provide safety education for employees so they know what behavior is and isn’t acceptable in the workplace environment.
Consider installing video surveillance, extra lighting, and alarm systems.
Minimize access by outsiders to your facilities by using ID badges, electronic keys, and if necessary, security guards.
Recommend field staff and employees working alone have cell phones and handheld alarms, requiring them to check in regularly.
Instruct workers to never enter a location that they feel may be unsafe.
Train employees on your workplace violence procedures annually and remind them frequently to keep their eyes and ears open and report anything that makes them feel awkward, uncomfortable, or unsafe. Even if they don’t experience it but saw or heard it they must report it!
Workers need to know employers have a system in place for their protection. It is critical to ensure all employees know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and dealt with promptly.
January 2021 Risk and Safety Newsletter