September is here and that means our summer season is almost done. For forest operators, summer time means busy work schedules for logging contracts and fire season resource agreements. This is also the time of year that fatigue starts to settle-in for employees, because of high temperatures and rushing to get work completed before the fall rains begin. According to NIOSH - Fatigue has been described as “a feeling of weariness, tiredness or lack of energy.” In workplace settings, fatigue is commonly associated with nonstandard schedules, which disrupt or shorten sleep. Examples of nonstandard schedules include night shift work and extended work hours. Nearly 30% of the American workforce has a work schedule that is outside of a “regular daytime shift.” Fatigue can also be associated with other workplace factors, such as:
Physically or mentally demanding tasks
Working in hot environments
Stress
Fatigue can:
Slow reaction times
Reduce attention or concentration
Limit short-term memory
Impair judgment
High levels of fatigue can affect any worker in any job. Fatigue can have serious consequences for worker safety and health. Fatigue-related safety issues can occur every day, as tired workers drive, operate heavy machinery, and conduct hazardous or routine jobs while working in the woods.
Part of fighting fatigue is learning how it affects workers in your business, and identifying what causes it. To keep workers safe and healthy, forest employers should:
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