Best practice
Regularly check in with workers undertaking suitable duties to determine if they are experiencing fatigue.
Why this is important
Workers transitioning back to work may feel more tired than usual while they adjust to their work routine again. Certain injuries and medications may also increase the likelihood of fatigue.
Fatigue may impact their ability to work safely and effectively, which may also impact the safety of others within the workplace.
Your toolkit
Here are some strategies, tools and resources to assist you in meeting best practice:
- Read an overview of the long and short-term risks of fatigue.
- Ensure a gradual return to work by developing a suitable duties plan in collaboration with the worker and approved by the treating medical practitioner
- Ask open ended question questions to determine if a worker may be experiencing fatigue, such as:
- How have you been sleeping?
- Do you feel you’re experiencing any side effects from your medication?
- How are you managing with the hours and duties you’re undertaking?
- How’s your concentration?
- Are you able to do all the things you want to do at home?
- The Preventing and managing fatigue-related risk in the workplace (PDF) handbook provides guidance on identifying, eliminating and minimising hazards and risks related to fatigue.
- Fatigue management - a worker's guide provides practical guidance on how to manage fatigue to ensure it doesn’t contribute to health and safety risks in the workplace.
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