Free Fatigue Management Procedure Template

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Fatigue Management Procedure

Purpose of Document

A Fatigue Management Procedure establishes guidelines for the management of fatigue and fatigue related hazards. The key objective is to ensure workers and others are protected from injury or illness that may occur due to a lack of management of fatigue. This procedure is broadly aligned with the requirements of AS/NZS 45001:2018.

How to Use

This Fatigue Management Procedure should be saved on your server and continually reviewed / updated. It should also be communicated to new workers as part of their induction or onboarding process. This document is a template only and it must be customised for your business. Other aspects that may need to be considered include, but are not limited to, ensuring that:

Relevant legal requirements have been met,
Workplace specific risks are identified and managed, and
Workers are consulted with during the customisation / review process.

When to Use

As stated above, this document should be made available to your staff and managers via your server, onedrive or intranet. You should also use it during employee inductions or you may wish to refresh your workers on the contents of the procedure periodically as part of a safety meeting or similar forum.

Who Should Use

This procedure should be reviewed and updated by your Safety Advisor, Project Manager or other Manager. Supervisors or managers can use the procedure to communicate the requirements to workers (including new workers).

Legal Considerations

There is no specific legal requirement to have a documented Fatigue Management Procedure. However, it is best practice, especially for larger companies. It can help meet general legal duties, including:

s(19) WHS Act – Primary Duty of Care (Ensuring Safety of Workers)
s(55)c WHS Regulations – Duty to Manage Psychosocial Risks

FAQ

What are the signs of fatigue?

Signs of fatigue include:

Feeling tired
Lacking motivation
Problems concentrating
Physical exhaustion
Irritability
Reduced energy
Red eyes
Slow movements or slurred talking

How long can a shift be in Australia (legally)?

Safe Work Australia's guide for managing the risk of fatigue states that shifts should be limited to 12hrs (including overtime). This limit is reduced to 8h if the shift is nightshift or if the work is demanding or safety critical. When designing shift length, employers should remember that legally they must ensure a safe workplace – and having extended shift lengths may be considered a legal breach if it compromised workplace safety. The employer should also take into consideration travel time as travel to and from work can be considered a work activity and may be subject to worker's compensation legislation (depending on the state).

How much rest time should be provided between shifts (legally)?

Safe Work Australia's guide for managing the risk of fatigue states that employers should allow a minimum of 12hrs between shifts and avoid "quick returns".