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Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Regulations

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Risk-based Fatigue Management at Mines

Annexures

Annexure E: Review of accident or incident reports

 

There is evidence that fatigue is under-reported in incident investigations. The following will be helpful in identifying whether fatigue was an issue:

 

Consider the time of day the incident occurred. Was it:

At a 'circadian low point'? (13:00 - 16:00; midnight and 06:00)?
Close to the end of a shift?
Within a period of two to four hours from the start of a shift?

 

Consider the point within the shift cycle when the incident occurred. Was it:

At changes of shift, for example during the first day shift following a cycle of night shifts?
At the end of a period of night shifts?

 

Consider the sleeping patterns of those involved in the incident, in particular, those who seem to have 'caused' the incident. Were they:

Sufficiently rested during the off-shift period before coming on shift?
Suffering from disrupted sleep?
Doing a second job during an extended period of rest days between shifts?

 

Consider the work environment. Was it:

Dark?
Hot?
Quiet?
Generally conducive to sleep?

 

Consider the type of work being carried out. Was it:

Routine (boring)?
Work requiring sustained attention or extended concentration?
Work requiring significant physical effort?
Safety-critical work that could have been scheduled at another time?

 

Consider those involved in the incident. Were they:

Taking any medicines that could have caused drowsiness or lack of attention?
Taking stimulants (such as caffeine) to maintain their alertness?
Assessed for fitness for duty before starting work or monitored during the shift for signs of fatigue?
Tired on arrival after a long journey to work?