Fatigue - The silent killer stalking demolition
Excessive tiredness can impair judgement as much as drugs or alcohol. The industry has protocols for drugs and alcohol. Isn't it time we had protocols for fatigue?
How did you sleep last night? How do you sleep generally? Do you ever go to work feeling beyond tired?  Exhausted?
I do.  But that’s OK because I am operating nothing more dangerous than a computer mouse.
In a demolition or construction setting, however, fatigue and sleep deprivation can be a major potential hazard.
First, let’s define what we mean by fatigue. Fatigue is not just feeling a bit tired after a long day. It’s a state of exhaustion that reduces your physical and mental capacities. It can be caused by long working hours, inadequate rest or high-stress levels.
Against that background, you might say that the demolition and construction sector is the perfect breeding ground for worker fatigue.
The problem is that in the demolition and construction workplace, fatigue can have dire consequences because the work is often physically demanding, requires precise coordination, and involves potentially dangerous equipment and environments.
When a worker is fatigued, their reaction times slow down. Studies suggest that a fatigued brain works much like the brain of someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Neurons respond more slowly and send weaker signals to the body, paving the way for cognitive lapses.
This is critical in construction and demolition, where quick reflexes can mean the difference between avoiding an accident and getting injured.
Fatigue also impairs decision-making abilities. A tired worker might overlook safety protocols, misjudge distances, or forget to secure a safety harness properly. These small mistakes can lead to severe accidents, including falls, equipment malfunctions, and even structural collapses.
And fatigue doesn’t just affect physical performance; it impacts mental health too. Workers who are consistently fatigued are more likely to experience mood swings, anxiety, and depression. These mental health issues can further degrade a worker’s ability to perform their job safely and efficiently.
In a high-risk environment like construction or demolition, a momentary lapse in concentration due to fatigue can be fatal.
Several factors contribute to fatigue in the demolition and construction industry. One of the primary causes is long working hours.
Construction projects often operate under tight deadlines, leading to extended shifts and insufficient rest periods. While overtime might seem like a necessary evil to meet deadlines or to pay the bills, it significantly increases the risk of fatigue-related accidents. So, what can be done to mitigate the risks of fatigue in the demolition and construction workplace? Employers need to prioritise the health and safety of their workers by implementing strategies to manage and reduce fatigue.
Firstly, it’s crucial to establish reasonable working hours and ensure that workers get adequate breaks. Secondly, fostering a culture that values safety over speed is essential. Workers should feel empowered to speak up if they’re feeling too tired to continue working safely. Workers need to be educated about the symptoms of fatigue, such as drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Technology can also play a role in mitigating fatigue. Wearable devices that monitor vital signs and alert workers when they are showing signs of fatigue can be integrated into the workplace.
These devices can track heart rate, activity levels, and even detect micro-sleeps, providing real-time data that can prompt timely interventions. By analysing patterns and predicting periods of high fatigue, these systems can suggest optimal rest times and shift rotations to keep workers at their peak performance levels.
Remember, a well-rested worker is not just a safer worker, but also a more efficient and productive one.
We have protocols to deal with workers that are impaired by the presence of alcohol or drugs; isn’t it about time that we had protocols for those that are impaired by a lack of rest?