Duration: 1 Day
Time: 8:30am-4:00pm

Awake and Aware

“A rested worker is a safer, stronger, more focused worker.”

– Dr. Clare Minnaar, Workplace Health Researcher

Fatigue is a physiological and psychological condition that impairs judgement, slows reaction times, and reduces workplace safety and performance. In South Africa, fatigue is intensified by long commutes, shift work, energy disruptions, and high-stress environments. Yet it remains underreported, underestimated, and often misunderstood.

This overview course exposes participants to the tools and strategies needed to identify, assess, and manage workplace fatigue.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

For professionals who want to reduce safety incidents, improve productivity, and support employee wellbeing:

• HR managers and officers
• Occupational health and safety practitioners
• Line managers and shift supervisors
• Operations and logistics managers
• Union and employee representatives
• Wellness and employee assistance coordinators

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT

• Recognise the warning signs and root causes of workplace fatigue
• Understand how fatigue affects safety, performance, and health
• Apply strategies that align with South African labour law and industry guidelines
• Use fatigue risk assessment tools to identify and mitigate hazards
• Promote a culture where fatigue is addressed without stigma
• Develop an action plan to improve shift design, rest policies, and wellbeing

WHAT WILL BE COVERED

Setting the scene: Understanding fatigue and why it matters

• What is fatigue?
• Distinguishing fatigue from tiredness, stress, and burnout
• The cost of ignoring fatigue: safety, productivity, wellbeing
• Myths, stigma, and silence: cultural barriers in reporting fatigue

Digging deeper: What causes workplace fatigue

• Organisational factors: long shifts, poor scheduling, inadequate rest
• Individual contributors: health conditions, sleep hygiene, nutrition
• Environmental pressures: noise, lighting, temperature extremes
• Psychosocial stressors: trauma, job insecurity, commuting demands
• South African context: load shedding, crime stress, multi-job workers

Spotting the signs: How fatigue shows up at work

• Cognitive indicators: forgetfulness, reduced alertness, poor judgement
• Emotional and behavioural changes: low motivation, irritability, withdrawal
• Physical signals: drowsiness, micro-sleeps, slow reactions
• Fatigue-related risks in safety-critical sectors (mining, transport, healthcare)

Practical ways to reduce fatigue risks

• Strategies to improve sleep quality and fatigue recovery
• Encouraging microbreaks and movement
• Hydration, posture, and nutrition for alertness
• Fatigue-proofing the workplace: rest zones, lighting, ergonomics
• Relaxation and mindfulness tools for high-pressure environments
• Tailored self-care tips for shift and night workers

Shared responsibility: What the law says - and what that means for you

• Employer responsibilities under OHSA, BCEA, and MHSA
• Employee responsibilities: self-monitoring, reporting, participation
• Night work and shift work compliance: what’s required legally
• Integrating fatigue into wellness, HR, and safety frameworks
• Creating a fatigue-aware workplace culture