Supporting shift workers overwhelmed by fatigue risks. How can you ensure their well-being and productivity?

Apoyar a los trabajadores por turnos que están abrumados por los riesgos de fatiga es esencial para mantener un entorno de trabajo seguro y productivo. Aquí te dejo algunos consejos sobre cómo puedes hacerlo: Planificación: La planificación es clave. Debes tener una comprensión clara de los plazos del proyecto y de cuándo se deben realizar las auditorías de seguridad. Comunicación: Mantén una comunicación abierta y regular con tu equipo y los subcontratistas. Asegúrate de que todos comprendan la importancia de las auditorías de seguridad y cómo se relacionan con los plazos del proyecto. Priorización: Prioriza las tareas en función de su importancia y urgencia. Esto te ayudará a gestionar tu tiempo de manera efectiva.

Provide workshops and materials on sleep hygiene, emphasising regular sleep schedules, a restful sleep environment, and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals before bed. Offer tips on managing fatigue, like taking short breaks, staying hydrated, and recognising signs of burnout. Encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their fatigue and seeking support. This proactive approach helps workers understand the crucial role of rest in maintaining their health.

Implement rotating shifts that ensure workers have varied schedules to avoid prolonged periods of night or early morning work. Ensure there are adequate rest periods between shifts, allowing workers to recover and rest properly. Adjust shift lengths if needed to reduce exhaustion and burnout.

Along with ergonomic workstations, other strategies to lessen the physical strain on employees include providing access to rest areas where they can take brief, restorative breaks; encouraging regular hydration and healthy snacking to help maintain energy levels; and routinely reviewing and adjusting the work environment based on employee feedback to further enhance well-being and productivity. By creating a supportive and optimised environment, you demonstrate a commitment to the safety and health of shift workers, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and performance.

In my experience, I prioritize close coordination with the health department to record, monitor, and conduct sudden inspections and sample vital signs, promptly sending workers to the site clinic if abnormalities are detected. This proactive approach is crucial because workers may continue working despite health-related fatigue issues, such as insufficient sleep, sometimes due to fear of their superiors. Fatigue poses significant risks to shift workers that are frequently underestimated in large-scale projects. While effective risk management procedures are in place, there remains a significant need for enhancements in their implementation and commitment.

Encouraging open communication shows that you care about your team's well-being and can help create a more positive and supportive work environment. You can also use anonymous surveys to gain insights into fatigue-related issues without worrying about the consequences. Lastly, think about training managers to identify fatigue signs and respond to them in a compassionate and effective manner.

Schedule frequent check-ins with shift workers to assess their fatigue levels and overall well-being. These can be informal conversations or structured meetings where employees can openly discuss their experiences and challenges. Use these sessions to identify signs of fatigue early and provide support, such as adjusting workloads or offering additional breaks. Regular check-ins show that you value their health, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce.