In the construction industry, the work day is often longer than the traditional 9-5. Working extended hours can have an impact on the health and safety of workers. Key factors to consider about worker safety are exposure limits and fatigue.
Fatigue
Working longer hours can result in sleep loss and fatigue.
Symptoms of fatigue include:
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Reduced alertness
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Slowed responses
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Impaired judgement
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Irritability
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Weakness
Fatigued workers can be a danger on site due to reduced mental and physical abilities. For more information on the dangers of fatigued workers, click here.
Protecting Workers from Fatigue
To reduce fatigue:
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Know the signs of fatigue
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Encourage healthy sleep habits and provide resources (such as this and this)
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Try to maintain consistent work and sleep schedules
To manage fatigue, workers should:
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Complete more challenging tasks at the beginning of shifts
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Drink plenty of water
For other fatigue management strategies, click here.
Exposure Limits
When working longer days, workers should be aware of exposure limits. Extended work hours can translate to extended exposure time.
Workers should be aware of acceptable exposure time and levels of hazards such as:
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Extreme temperatures
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Chemicals
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Noise
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Vibration
Be sure to determine the appropriate exposure level for an extended work day.
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