All About Fatigue

Anna Hayford
18 hours ago
2 min read

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is more than just feeling tired. It is "a state of physical or mental weariness that reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively." According to NIOSH, fatigue is commonly described as “a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy,” often caused by nonstandard schedules, long work hours, stress, or demanding work environments. Fatigue can affect any employee in any job, and its impact on safety is significant.

Why Fatigue Matters for Safety

Fatigue directly affects cognitive and physical performance. The CDC notes that high levels of fatigue can:

slow reaction times,
reduce attention,
impair judgment, and
limit short‑term memory

These are all critical components of safe work performance.

The National Safety Council reports that 13% of workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue, and most workers have at least one fatigue risk factor in their job.

Yes, 13% may feel low, but with the number of workplace injuries annually being over 5,000,000 - that's over 650,000 fatigue-related injuries.

OSHA also links fatigue‑related decreased alertness to major industrial incidents, including the 2005 BP Texas City explosion, highlighting its potential for catastrophic consequences.

Common contributors include:

Long or irregular shifts (night shifts, extended work hours)
Mentally or physically demanding work
Stress, hot environments, and poor sleep quality

Signs of Fatigue

OSHA and CDC identify several observable symptoms, including:

Weariness or sleepiness
Irritability and reduced alertness
Slower reaction times
Memory lapses or poor decision-making

These symptoms increase the likelihood of errors, injuries, and near-misses on the job.

What Managers can do:

OSHA recommends several strategies to reduce fatigue hazards in the workplace, such as:

Reviewing workload and staffing levels to prevent excessive overtime or understaffing
Implementing schedules that allow workers adequate rest and nighttime sleep opportunities.
Providing fatigue education and training, including encouraging your associates to read this safety blast and attend regular safety trainings.

What Associates Can Do

You can protect yourself and others by:

Getting sufficient, high‑quality sleep
Taking scheduled breaks
Staying hydrated and practicing healthy eating
Reporting persistent fatigue or unsafe conditions related to fatigue

Conclusion

Fatigue is a serious safety risk, but a preventable one. Through awareness, responsible scheduling, a supportive workplace culture, and proper fatigue‑management strategies, organizations can significantly reduce fatigue‑related hazards.