Week 6: Notes on Shift Work, Fatigue, and Occupational Stress

Week 6: Shift Work, Fatigue, and Occupational Stress

Introduction

• Focus of Week 6: Shift work's impact on fatigue and occupational stress.
• Key learning objectives:
• WLO1: Knowledge application on psychosocial hazards risk management.
• WLO2: Mechanisms of injury related to shift work and fatigue management.
• WLO3: Understanding of legislation and standards for managing risks associated with shift work, fatigue, and psychosocial hazards.
• Required resources include videos and readings from Dr. Carlo Caponecchia on work design and mental health.

Psychosocial Hazards

• Definition: Psychosocial hazards are conditions in the workplace that can cause psychological or physical harm. They include:
• Fatigue
• Occupational violence
• Stress
• Bullying/harassment
• WHS legislation context: The management of psychosocial hazards differs by location and is governed by specific workplace health and safety regulations.

Understanding Stress

• Stress Defined: A physiological and psychological response of individuals when work demands exceed their coping abilities.
• Model of Stress:
• Stress viewed as:
  1. An engineering-type model (physical response).
  2. A psychological response that is influenced by individual perceptions and environmental factors.
• Balance Perspective on Stress: Stress is perceived as an imbalance between work demands and available resources.

Impact of Psychosocial Hazards

• Serious implications in the workplace:
• Mental illness (e.g., depression) is a leading cause of disability; a notable increase in mental health issues noted worldwide.
• In Australia, a significant portion of serious claims made to workers’ compensation relate to mental stress.
• Claims data highlights the increasing occurrence of injuries and illnesses linked to psychosocial hazards.

WHS Legislation Regarding Psychosocial Health

• In 2022, amendments to the national WHS regulations to address psychosocial risks were made.
• Duty holders must identify, eliminate, and manage psychosocial hazards to ensure worker safety.

ISO 45003 and Model Code of Practice

• ISO 45003 provides guidelines for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace.
• Difference from Code of Practice:
• A code gives practical guidance and is enforceable unlike ISO standards, which are not compulsory but can help achieve compliance.

Identifying Psychosocial Risk Factors

• Risk assessment tools like the People at Work survey can identify psychosocial hazards through focus groups or surveys.
• Assessment of psychosocial hazards requires benchmarking against normative data for effective analysis.

Understanding Shift Work and Fatigue

• Fatigue Definitions:
• Recognized as difficulty in performing tasks due to insufficient restorative sleep.
• Effects of fatigue may be acute or cumulative.
• Key Contributors to Fatigue: o
• Sleep changes, circadian disruption, cognitive task demands, and overall work hours.
• Shift Work as a Factor:
• Specific high-risk occupations include healthcare, transportation, and emergency services which are frequently studied.
• Fatigue is a shared responsibility between employees and employers regarding management practices.

Fit for Duty Policies

• Fit for duty policies ensure workers do not compromise safety based on fatigue, with structured assessments using models like the Dawson and McCulloch fatigue management model.

Risk Management for Occupational Stress

• Occupational Stress Attributes:
• Characterized by the imbalance of demands and resources, leading to strain.
• Key Risk Factors to Address:
• High demands, low control, poor support, lack of recognition, and issues with change management.
• Model Application:
• Use a tiered approach to risk management focusing on high-risk aspects first for effective intervention.

Coping Mechanisms and Interventions

• Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Interventions: Effective interventions focus on work design, systems approach, and individualistic coping strategies including mindfulness practices.
• Recognizing the pathways from occupational stress to potential mental and physical health issues is essential.

Conclusion

• Recognizing that occupational stress, fatigue, and psychosocial hazards represent significant risks that need structured management through risk assessment and appropriate workplace policies to ensure worker health and safety.