Identifying and Reducing Worker Fatigue in Construction
Article is by Armand E. Sabitoni, Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America
A career in construction can be very rewarding, offering both physical and mental challenges, work that’s always changing and excellent pay and benefits. However, we know the nature of the work also brings risks to worker safety and health. Physically demanding work creates risk for injury, while tight work schedules and varying job locations can lead to extended shifts, irregular work hours and long commutes.
These factors and others are what make construction workers among the most at-risk employees in any industry for experiencing fatigue on the job. A National Safety Council (NSC) study on fatigue concluded that 100 percent of construction workers had at least one risk factor for on-the-job fatigue.