Safe Work Practices > Driver Fatigue

Date Reviewed: February 15, 2023

Vehicle incidents (without exception) account for the greatest frequency and severity of losses that any industry experiences. Long work hours and/or many consecutive days of work can fatigue workers and make them feel tired, sleepy, irritable or depressed. They may lose their appetite, have digestive problems, and are more likely to catch a cold or flu.

Fatigued workers tend to:

•React more slowly than usual;

•Fail to respond to things going on around them, or respond incorrectly;

•Show poor logic and judgement;

•Are unable to concentrate;

•Are less motivated and more forgetful;

•Have a greater tendency for taking risks.

This poor performance at work causes workers to cope by working more slowly, checking their work repetitively, relying on fellow workers and choosing to complete less critical tasks.

Although there may be exceptions to the rule, personnel should not be driving for more than 8 hours without rest. No one should be driving after more than 14 hours of work without at least 2 hours of rest. Each worker’s good judgement should prevail. If long hours have been worked or if a worker is tired, they should not be getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Consider hazards such as noise, vibration, chemicals and extreme temperatures when extending hours of work. Also consider the effects on a worker when having to wear specialized pieces of personal protective equipment such as respirators or fall arrest equipment for extended work hours.