The dangers of workplace fatigue and how occupational health can help
Workplace fatigue is more than just feeling tired after a long day. It can significantly impact employee wellbeing, productivity and even workplace safety. Fatigue has become a pressing concern across industries like rail, logistics, manufacturing, and construction, where demanding conditions are commonplace. But what causes workplace fatigue, and how can occupational health play a role in addressing it?
This article explores the root causes of workplace fatigue, the risks it poses, and how businesses can work with occupational health providers to create safer, healthier and more productive environments.
What is workplace fatigue and what risks does it pose?
Workplace fatigue refers to a state of chronic tiredness or weariness caused by prolonged physical or mental activity. Unlike a passing feeling of tiredness, fatigue can hamper cognitive function, weaken decision-making, and delay reaction times.
The consequences range from reduced productivity and increased absenteeism, to a higher likelihood of workplace accidents. According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), fatigue and poor alertness were cited as the root cause of the Clapham Junction rail disaster, Chernobyl, the Texas City oil refinery explosion, the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the loss of the Challenger space shuttle. Fatigue is also implicated in 20% of accidents on major roads.
Fatigue isn’t just an individual issue; it can impact entire teams and workplace ecosystems. Whether you're overseeing complex rail operations or running a manufacturing workplace, understanding and addressing fatigue is critical for maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.
Common causes of workplace fatigue
Heavy workload and long hours
In some industries, employees have no choice but to handle demanding workloads and hours. While pushing through may be habitual, regularly working long hours can quickly lead to physical and mental exhaustion. This becomes particularly risky for those in roles involving machinery or safety-critical tasks, where alertness is non-negotiable.
Stress and lack of work-life balance
Long hours don't just tire out the body; they take a significant toll on mental wellbeing too. Stress stemming from constant deadlines, unrealistic employer expectations, or lack of downtime can lead to burnout, affecting both performance and overall health.
Poor environmental conditions
Workplace environments in industries such as construction and utilities play a huge role in fatigue levels. Poor lighting, uncomfortable temperatures, excessive noise or repetitive physical tasks worsen fatigue, making employees feel both physically drained and mentally disengaged.
Lack of sleep and irregular schedules
Professionals working in sectors like transportation and manufacturing may face irregular shifts or extended hours. These schedules disrupt the body’s natural sleep cycles, leading to poor quality sleep and sleep deprivation. In fact, studies have shown that sleep-deprived workers are 70% more likely to be involved in workplace accidents.
The role of fatigue in historical workplace accidents
Clapham Junction rail crash
The Clapham Junction rail crash in 1988 resulted in the death of 35 people, and the injury of 500 more. The immediate cause of the crash was found to be a signal failure due to a wiring fault, but the signalling technician responsible was found to have worked a 7 day week for the previous 13 weeks.
The report into the crash by Anthony Hidden noted a number of failings at a supervisory and management level. However, the technician’s fatigue was a significant contributory factor.
Exxon Valdez oil spill
In March 1989, on route to Long Beach, California, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck Bligh
Reef, Prince William Sound, Alaska, releasing 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the sound. Shortly prior to the spill, the captain and all three mates had spent 22 hours loading the ship with crude oil. In fact, the tanker's crew had been working round-the-clock and recorded very little sleep within the prior 16 hours. Given their sleep deprivation, none of the crew could have legally taken a bridge watch at the time the accident occurred.
The spill area would eventually spread 740km from the tanker, affecting some 3,000 km of coastline, killing an estimated 22 orcas, 300 harbour seals, 150 bald eagles, 5,000 sea otters, hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and other birds, and an unknown number of fish such as salmon and herring. The economic impact to the region due to loss of fishing and tourism amounted to billions of US dollars.
Texas City oil refinery explosion
At the BP-owned oil refinery in Texas City, Texas, in March 2005, a hydrocarbon vapour cloud ignited and violently exploded. This resulted in the death of 15 workers, the injury of a further 180, and severe damage to the refinery. The Baker Panel report into the incident was released in January 2007, and stressed that worker fatigue, as well as a workplace culture that encouraged overtime had detrimental effects on safety at the plant. Following the report, new safety guidelines and initiatives were recommended across the industry, including the fatigue risk management system (FRMS).
The role of occupational health in combating fatigue
Occupational health professionals provide expertise in identifying, mitigating and preventing workplace fatigue. By promoting a proactive approach, businesses can protect employee wellbeing and maintain operational excellence.
"Many organisations overlook the impact of repetitive tasks and shift-hour patterns," says Dr Steve Malleson, Express Medicals’ Chief Medical Officer and Occupational Health expert. "A comprehensive fatigue risk assessment can be eye-opening for employers across all industries."
Sectors like logistics and rail, where safety is critical, increasingly incorporate Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), nutrition consultation, mental health training, and drug and alcohol training as part of their fatigue prevention strategies. These all prevent fatigue in the workplace and contribute to greater employee safety and wellbeing
Occupational health goes beyond risk assessments. Many programmes provide educational materials, wellness workshops, and even one-on-one sessions to teach employees how to manage stress, improve sleep habits and maintain healthier work-life balances.
Mitigating workplace fatigue for safer businesses
Fatigue in the workplace is not an unavoidable consequence of hard work. It’s a manageable issue that, if addressed correctly, can improve employee wellbeing, enhance productivity, and significantly reduce risks.
At Express Medicals, we draw on decades of experience supporting the health and safety of your teams across diverse industries. Our in-depth knowledge of workplace health risks, paired with clinical expertise, enables us to provide occupational health services that are tailored to each organisation’s needs.
Whether you’re running a construction site, transporting goods through logistics networks or managing a factory floor, occupational health interventions make a measurable difference.
Take the first step toward a fatigue-free workplace today. Contact Express Medicals to learn more about, preventative strategies and workplace testing solutions tailored to your industry.
Sources
Health and Safety Executive, Workplace Fatigue Management
Sleep Foundation, Excessive Sleepiness and Workplace Accidents
