02:12 pm, Tuesday 9 October, 2012

A new code of practice for employers, which is expected to be finalised next year will require bosses to roster jobs around workers’ social lives and make sure that workers who yawn or daydream are not too tired to perform their work safely.

News Limited reported that the new code of practice includes a proposed “fatigue checklist” to help employers in determining whether workers have had enough sleep to perform their job safely. It has also proposed that employers “eliminate or reduce the need to work extended hours or overtime.”

“If a worker leaves their job tired and exhausted they may be less able to enjoy out of work activities or could be a danger to themselves and others in the community,” says the document.

“Likewise, if a worker arrives at work unfit for duty due to lack of sleep, illness or other condition, they may be less productive or could be a danger to themselves and others in the workplace.

“To avoid any potential conflicts between personal and work demands, controls include (to) consult with workers and design shift rosters that will enable workers to meet both work and personal commitments.”

The code also requires employers to train workers to balance work and personal lifestyle demands.

The code of practice will be admissible in court if an employer is charged with breaching workplace health and safety laws.

In a report by The Australian, the Australian Industry Group’s representative on the Safe Work Australia board, Mark Goodsell, said employers might be held responsible for the fatigue of workers moonlighting in other jobs.

Any boss who pried into a worker’s partying habit would “look like a nark and invade their privacy,” said Mr Goodsell.

“People can lie to you and say they weren’t doing anything on the weekend to make them tired.

“They’ve got no obligation to tell you what they’re doing at home.

“But there is a legal implication that if an employer is accused of breaking the law, the fact you weren’t following the code can be used against you.”

Even unions have expressed their concern over the law saying that the fatigue checklist is “not very helpful.”

“How would a workplace assess such things as ‘reduced immune system function’ or ‘hallucinations’ and ‘headaches’? says Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union in a submission to Safe Work Australia.

A Safe Work Australia spokeswoman said they will revise the code to address concerns.

“Changes aim to reflect recent research findings and outcomes of case law,” said the spokeswoman.

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02:01 pm, Monday 3 September, 2012

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A transport company was fined $9000 plus $11,000 in costs for nine charges on Friday.

Eight of these charges were for failing to ensure drivers drove within the prescribed hours to appropriately manage fatigue while the ninth charge was for allowing a person to drive when he was not certified fit by a physician.

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 require employers to manage fatigue and assist drivers by establishing appropriate systems.

WorkSafe Commissioner Lex McCulloch said that driver fatigue is a significant risk to the safety of long haul drivers and to the public as well.

“The importance of the management of fatigue is well known and recognised as a serious risk by the industry. There are real dangers when fatigued transport workers drive and it is disappointing when there are cases like this,” said Mr McCulloch.

More information on driving safely can be accessed through the WorkSafe WA website.

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06:27 pm, Tuesday 6 March, 2012

A new study revealed that Australian workers, especially parents are suffering from worker fatigue “epidemic.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that psychologists from the University of South Australia, Natalie Skinner and Jill Dorian conducted a survey to around 970 workers and self-employed business people on their moods, access to leave as well as work and sleep habits, and found out that about 30 percent often felt fatigued. A similar proportion of this population reported that they rarely had seven hours of sleep every night, but this rose to 40 percent among respondents who are parents of dependent children.

It should be noted that numerous studies were conducted in the past, which showed that lack of sleep can increase the risk of workplace accidents as well as heart diseases, obesity, cancer and mental illnesses.

The authors say that Australians’ work and sleep habits can place significant strain on workers capacity to be effective as workers, parents, partners, friends and community members.

“The workers in this study concurred, identifying many personal and work outcomes that were compromised as a result of their fatigue.”

The authors are also concerned with the lack of significant research on the effects of non-paid work and fatigue.

“Caring responsibilities, for example, can create the ‘double burden’ of work and family demands that is likely to increase the risk of fatigue from long hours or intensive work.”

The authors are calling on the government to cap the working week, including overtime, at 38 hours, to help workers avoid sleep deprivation which may lead to accidents.

“Our findings suggest that working 45-plus hours significantly increases the risk of negative outcomes for fatigue and sleep deprivation.

“These outcomes, in turn, are associated with reduced productivity, community and workplace safety. Therefore, it is recommended that an upper limit be set for ‘reasonable’ hours no longer than 38 weekly hours, even taking into account operational needs of the workplace/enterprise.”

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