Fatigue: How does it make you feel?

Fatigue is a killer.

Did you know?

• Fatigue is one of the big three killers on NSW roads

• Fatigue-related crashes are twice as likely to be fatal - drivers who are asleep can't brake

• In 2012 more people in NSW died in fatigue-related crashes than drink driving crashes

• Being awake for about 17 hours has a similar effect on performance as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05

• Fatigue is a core element of Chain of Responsibility.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is more than feeling tired or drowsy. In a work context, fatigue is a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion that reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively (Safe work Australia Fatigue Management November 2013).

Signs of Fatigue

• Tiredness even after sleep

• Reduced hand eye co-ordination or slow reflexes

• Short term memory problems and an inability to concentrate

• Blurred vision or impaired visual perception

• A need for extended sleep during days off work.

Impact of working hours on Fatigue

Common transport industry work practices include working long hours, prolonged night work, working irregular hours, having little or poor quality sleep and early starting times. It is not uncommon for a commercial heavy vehicle operator to work more than 12 hours per day and a working week of over 70 hours. This makes them very susceptible to fatigue.

Heavy vehicle accidents involving fatigue are typical in the pre-dawn hours and during the mid-afternoon and long straight stretches of road.

Controlling fatigue requires co-operation between all parties in the Supply Chain. Control strategies need to be implemented to reduce the risk of crashes as a result of fatigue by all parties in the supply chain. This includes consignors, consignees, loaders, packers, managers, transport companies, drivers.

Your responsibility as a consignor or consignee

As a Consignee or consignor you have a responsibility to ensure you manage the fatigue of a workers on your site, this includes visiting truck drivers.

What can you do?

• Ensure your organisation has a policy and procedure relating to fatigue

• Meet with your carrier/consignor on a regular basis to review fatigue management

• Seek out continuous improvement opportunities in managing fatigue

• By ensuring a driver is given clear access to a person of responsibility who can communicate effectively with the driver will assist in managing the driver’s fatigue.

• Advising the time for loading or unloading within 30 minutes of arrival, with regular updates

• Having rest facilities for the driver If required to be delayed, both on site and off site

• Access to the drivers mobile phone number if the driver decides to have some sleep

• Ensuring the driver is given sufficient time to achieve the delivery requirements.

• Working with the transport company to ensure realistic goals are agreed

As a transport manager or scheduler

• Controlling the drivers work hours to ensure time is available to complete the task required

• Ensuring the driver is not fatigued at the start of shift.

• Developing a journey plan with the agreement of the driver, which manages both driving and rest breaks

• Working with the consignor or consignee to ensure realistic delivery goals are agreed.

• Ensue all employees are trained in fatigue management

• Seek out the latest technology to assist with managing fatigue

• Ensure all workers comply with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to fatigue.

As a Driver

• Comply with your organisations policies and procedures relating to fatigue

• Complete your work diary accurately.

• Understand your sleep, rest and recovery needs.

• Seek medical assistance if you have or are concerned about a health condition that affects your sleep which may cause fatigue.

• Have regular medical check ups

• Assess your own fitness for work before commencing work, be honest

• Talk to your supervisor/manager if you foresee fatigue being an impairment in your work.

• Manage your time by taking the steps to manage fatigue, for example take a break from driving at least every two hours, maintain hydration (drink water) do some stretching or physical exercise, adjust your work environment (lighting, temperature)

• Ensure your time off is used wisely, and do not consume alcohol at least 8 hours before starting work.

Fatigue Related Penalties

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has under Heavy Vehicle National Law has a schedule of Court Imposed Infringement Penalties effective from 1 July 2014. In particular Chapter 6 Vehicle Operations Driver Fatigue has Maximum penalty listed as:

Minor: $4,100

Substantial: $6,150

Severe: $10,240 Critical: $15,370

With infringements listed as

Minor: $410

Substantial: $615

A full list of penalties can be found in the following link https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/hvnl-pi-chapter-6-vehicle-operations-driver-fatigue-07-2013.pdf

What can Modal Logistics do to help you?

• Modal Logistics is able to assist you develop a Fatigue Management Plan for your business.

• Modal Logistics can conduct a gap analysis audit to help you understand your current compliance to Fatigue Management.

• We can assist the development of policy and procedures so they integrate with your existing policies and procedures.

• Training is available for all employees and contractors in understanding Fatigue as required by the TLIF 3063A Administer the implementation of fatigue management strategies and TLIF2010A Apply fatigue management strategies

• Establish a template to make a review of fatigue a critical agenda item in your carrier/consignor meetings

• Identify records that need to be kept for audit purposes.

• Understand how speed management relates to fatigue management

For assistance in any of the above matters or if you just want to talk about your business fatigue management please give me a call on 0417 220 712 or send me a message on email to kerry@modallogistics.com.au