New model Code of Practice on managing fatigue risks at work published

A new model Code of Practice has been published by Safe Work Australia (SWA), providing practical guidance to employers on how to manage health and safety risks related to fatigue at work.

“Fatigue is a state of physical, mental or emotional impairment that can have health effects and can prevent people from functioning safely in the workplace,” SWA stated.

“Employers are responsible for preventing work-related fatigue and ensuring fatigue doesn’t create a risk in their workplace. To do this, they must consult with workers and should design work in a way that eliminates or minimises risk as much as they reasonably can.

“Managing fatigue-related risks may mean changes to work hours and shift design, providing sufficient breaks while at work and between periods of work, providing additional tools or equipment to assist with tasks or altering the way tasks are completed to allow for flexibility.”

Additional resources to support the model Code of Practice have also been published. These include:

• a worker fact sheet;
• a small business fact sheet; and
• the updated Fatigue: A WHS issue infographic.
   

The new model Code complements the model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work.

You can download the model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work here, via the SWA website.

Image credit: iStock.com/Suratsak Noikerdmee. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.