Impairment SOP -Appendix 2 - Tips for Managing Fatigue

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APPENDIX 2: TIPS FOR MANAGING FATIGUE
1. GENERAL
The aim of this appendix is to provide managers and individuals with information that will
assist them in recognising fatigue and managing the risk.
2. FATIGUE DANGER ZONE
The body requires a certain
amount of sleep to
regenerate physiological
needs. Most adults need
between 7 – 9 hours of sleep
to function at their best.
Figure 1 highlights the
fatigue ‘zones’ workers go
through. Many people exist
in the Orange zone. The
longer someone stays in this
zone the higher the chance
they are impaired and are a
safety risk to themselves and
others.
Significant risk occurs when
someone has:
only 5.5 hours sleep in
the past 24 hours
and/or
12 hours sleep in the
last 48 hours
3. RECOGIZING FATIGUE
Figure 1 highlights the signs
of someone in a fatigued
state. These signs can either
be:
physical (feeling weak, fidgeting,
yawning, dark urine),
mental (slow reactions, poor concentration, short-term memory problems) and
emotional (moodiness, irritability, depression).
Recognising these symptoms in ourselves can be difficult but knowing what to look for should
trigger the need to take breaks, take naps or end tasks.
Figure 1. Fatigue Danger Zone

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