NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours

Fatigue Risk Management Systems

In recent years, some experts are suggesting fatigue risk management systems for workplaces to manage hazards linked to worker fatigue.⁵ These systems move organizations toward a comprehensive and flexible approach that is science based, data driven, and designed for continuous improvement. These systems include the following elements:

1. Fatigue management policy
2. Fatigue risk management (collecting information on fatigue, analyzing its risk, and instituting controls to reduce the risk)
3. Reporting system for employees to give information about their accidents, errors, and near misses
4. Incident investigation to determine if fatigue was a contributing factor
5. Fatigue management training and education for employees and managers
6. Sleep disorder management
7. Corrective actions and continuous improvement.

For detailed information, see Lerman and colleagues.⁵