There are human factors and employee choices that might have a negative impact on an individual's ability to remain alert and adjust to shift work. In order to assess the fatigue risks caused by personal factors the following should be examined in detail (Table 1.3).
Table 1.3:
Risk assessment of personal factors
|
Risk factor
|
Consideration
|
|
Personal factors
|
|
Excessive commuting times necessary
|
| • |
Is significant travel to and from work necessary each day so that time for adequate sleep is reduced? |
| • |
Are long-distance commutes necessary at the beginning of a work cycle? |
|
|
Socio-economic issues
|
| • |
Do jobs involve high demand, but low control? |
| • |
Are there poor social relations at work, e.g. bullying? |
| • |
Is there a low level of social support from peers and supervisors at work? |
|
|
Health conditions and medication
|
| • |
To what extent is there evidence of problems as a result of: |
| (d) |
Other medical issues; |
| (e) |
Sleeping disorders; and |
| (f) |
Psychological issues. |
|
|
Alcohol and substance abuse
|
| • |
Alcohol and/or drug misuse/abuse |
|
|
Living conditions
|
| • |
Poor sleeping conditions |
| • |
Unfavourable sleeping environment |
|
Protection of Businesses Act, 1978
