Category: Fatigue

Help for the Holidays: Preventing Fatigue, Violence, and Stress in Retail

  The holidays can be the most stressful time of the year—especially for retail workers who often work long hours and irregular shifts. These workers might also deal with crowds, violence, and robberies. This blog highlights the risk of fatigue, violence, and stress for workers in retail stores and provides strategies for making retail work Read More >

Posted on by Cammie Chaumont Menéndez, Casey Chosewood, Adrienne Eastlake, Jennifer Lincoln, Suzanne Marsh, Jeannie Nigam, Donna Pfirman, Hope Tiesman

Working Hours and Fatigue: Meeting the Needs of American Workers and Employers

In November 2022, the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (AJIM) published a special issue focusing on work-related fatigue. The issue explores factors that may increase work-related fatigue and actions to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses. [1] This issue is a result of discussions and collaborations from the 2019 NIOSH Working Hours, Sleep and Fatigue Forum Read More >

Posted on by Grace Vixama, MPH; Imelda Wong, PhD; and Naomi Swanson, PhD1 Comment

Setting Objectives for Fatigue Detection Technologies

This is the third blog in the series on fatigue detection technologies.   Work-related fatigue can have serious consequences for worker health and safety if not properly managed. One effective option for mitigating work-related fatigue is a well-designed fatigue risk management plan, which can be informed by many approaches and tools, such as fatigue detection technologies Read More >

Posted on by Tim Bauerle, PhD; Emanuele Cauda, PhD; Imelda Wong, PhD; and Kyla Hagan-Haynes, MPH

National Safety Month

Each June, we celebrate National Safety Month. While we all know safety is important year-round, this month we work to highlight efforts to prevent injury and death, from the workplace to anyplace. In this blog, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Safety Council (NSC) are highlighting research and prevention Read More >

Posted on by Dawn Castillo, MPH, and John Dony2 Comments

Noticias recientes sobre el trabajo en turnos de noche y el cáncer: ¿Qué significa para los trabajadores?

El Programa Nacional de Toxicología (NTP, por sus siglas en inglés) hace poco publicó un informe sobre cómo el trabajo constante en turnos de noche está relacionado con el riesgo de cáncer (1). Este informe aparece después de una evaluación similar que publicó la Agencia Internacional de Investigaciones sobre el Cáncer (IARC) (2) en julio del 2019, la cual Read More >

Posted on by Christina C. Lawson, PhD; Elizabeth A. Whelan, PhD; Tania Carreón-Valencia, PhD, MS; and Claire C. Caruso PhD, RN, FAAN1 Comment

The Who, What, How and When of Implementing Fatigue Monitoring and Detection Technologies

  Worker fatigue can result from a variety of sources, such as insufficient sleep, long work hours, physical exertion and stress. Fatigue can slow down reaction times, reduce attention or concentration, limit short-term memory, and impair judgment, affecting the health and safety of workers and their co-workers1,2. Worker fatigue has contributed to catastrophic industrial events Read More >

Posted on by Kyla Retzer, MPH, Imelda Wong, PhD, and Emanuele Cauda, PhD6 Comments

Recent News about Night Shift Work and Cancer: What Does it Mean for Workers?

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) recently released a report about how persistent night shift work is related to cancer risk (1). This report follows a similar evaluation released in July, 2019 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2), an update of their 2007 report (3). Both agencies reviewed existing studies of night Read More >

Posted on by Christina C. Lawson, PhD; Elizabeth A. Whelan, PhD; Tania Carreón-Valencia, PhD, MS; and Claire C. Caruso PhD, RN, FAAN5 Comments

Choosing the “Right” Fatigue Monitoring and Detection Technology

Fatigue can shorten concentration, slow reaction times and impair decision-making skills resulting in increased health and safety risks for workers. It has been estimated that one in five fatal motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. can be attributed to fatigue. In addition, workers with sleep problems are 62% more likely to experience a work-related injury1,2. Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD; Kyla Retzer, MPH; and Emanuele Cauda, PhD1 Comment

Die weitreichenden Folgen arbeitsbedingter Müdigkeit

Als Müdigkeit bezeichnet man die „Reaktion des Körpers auf Schlafmangel oder langanhaltende körperliche oder geistige Anstrengung.“1 Die Müdigkeit wird immer stärker, je länger der Schlafmangel bzw. die körperliche/geistige Anstrengung andauert. Das einzige, was gegen die Müdigkeit hilft, ist ausreichend Ruhe. Berufstätige mit ungewöhnlichen Arbeitszeiten wie Schichtarbeit, sehr frühem Arbeitsbeginn oder langen Arbeitstagen haben allerdings nur Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD, und Anna Arlinghaus, PhD

Fadiga relacionada ao trabalho vai além do ambiente laboral

A fadiga é definida como “a resposta do organismo à falta de sono ou a esforço físico ou mental prolongado”.1 Dessa forma, quanto mais períodos de sono insuficiente ou esforço físico/mental temos, mais fadigados ficamos. Essa fadiga só pode ser resolvida com descanso adequado. No entanto, para pessoas que trabalham em jornadas fora do padrão, Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD, e Anna Arlinghaus, PhD

仕事による疲労は職場を超えて影響する

疲労は、「睡眠不足または肉体・精神を長時間使うことに対する身体の反応」と定義されています1。そのため、睡眠不足または肉体/精神を使う時間が増加するにつれて、疲労が溜まっていきます。この疲労は十分な休息によってのみ軽減することができます。 Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong(PhD)、Anna Arlinghaus(PhD)

La fatiga relacionada con el trabajo va más allá del ámbito laboral

La fatiga ha sido definida como “la respuesta del cuerpo a la falta de sueño o al esfuerzo físico o mental prolongado”1. Como tal, a medida que aumentan los periodos de sueño insuficiente o esfuerzo físico o mental, más fatigados estamos. Esta fatiga solo se puede reducir con descanso suficiente. Sin embargo, para los trabajadores Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD, y Anna Arlinghaus, PhD

與工作相關的疲勞可以超越到工作場所之外

疲勞的定義是「身體對睡眠不足或對長時間體力或腦力勞累所產生的反應。」1 因此,隨著睡眠不足或體力/腦力勞累的加劇,我們變得更為疲勞。只有充分休息才能減輕這種疲勞。 Read More >

Posted on by 作者為 Imelda Wong 博士和 Anna Arlinghaus 博士

Work-related Fatigue Reaches Beyond the Workplace

Fatigue has been defined as “the body’s response to sleep loss or to prolonged physical or mental exertion.”1 As such, with increasing periods of insufficient sleep or physical/mental exertion, the more fatigued we become. This fatigue can only be reduced with sufficient rest. However, for workers employed in nonstandard schedules, such as with shift work, Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD, and Anna Arlinghaus, PhD8 Comments

Controlar a fadiga em momentos de crise: Orientação para enfermeiros, gerentes e outros funcionários de serviços de saúde

Em momentos de crise, funcionários de saúde (por exemplo, enfermeiros, enfermeiros licenciados em clínica geral, médicos, assistentes de enfermagem etc.) continuam a oferecer atendimento, mesmo com demandas desafiadoras de trabalho, incluindo maior internação de pacientes gravemente doentes, aumento do estresse no trabalho e uma necessidade frequente de horas extras. Essas demandas de trabalho podem compor Read More >

Posted on by enfermeira Beverly M. Hittle, PhD; Imelda S. Wong, PhD; e enfermeira Claire C. Caruso, PhD, FAAN1 Comment

危機発生時の疲労管理:看護師、管理者、および他の医療従事者に向けた指針

危機発生時、重症患者の搬入の増加、業務上のストレスの増加、超過勤務の必要性の増加を含め、かつてない困難な業務負荷の中にあっても、医療従事者(例:看護師、専門看護師、医師、准看護師)は医療行為を継続します。こういった業務負荷は既に厳しい勤務環境(すなわち、12時間シフト、夜勤)と合わさり、しっかりと回復するためのシフト中の通常の休憩時間やシフト間の休日など、十分な休憩・休日の確保を難しくしています。これらの業務上の因子のすべて(すなわち、身体的、心理的、および/または精神的負荷)が睡眠不足と重なることで疲労に繋がります1-3。 Read More >

Posted on by Beverly M. Hittle (PhD, RN)、Imelda S. Wong(PhD), Claire C. Caruso(PhD, RN、FAAN)

Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, and Other Healthcare Workers

At times of crisis, healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, etc.) continue to provide care, despite ever challenging work demands, including higher influx of critically ill patients, increased work stress, and a frequent need for overtime. These work demands can compound already challenging work schedules (i.e. 12-hour shifts, night shifts), making Read More >

Posted on by Beverly M. Hittle, PhD, RN, Imelda S. Wong, PhD and Claire C. Caruso, PhD, RN, FAAN11 Comments

Manejo de la fatiga en tiempos de crisis: Directrices para enfermeros, administradores y otros trabajadores de atención médica

En tiempos de crisis, los trabajadores de atención médica (por ejemplo, enfermeros, enfermeros especialistas, médicos, auxiliares de enfermería, etc.) siguen brindando atención, a pesar de exigencias laborales constantemente arduas, como mayor afluencia de enfermos críticos, mayor estrés laboral y la necesidad frecuente de horas extras. Estas exigencias pueden complicar jornadas laborales ya complejas (es decir, Read More >

Posted on by Beverly M. Hittle, PhD, RN, Imelda S. Wong, PhD y Claire C. Caruso, PhD, RN, FAAN

NIOSH Working Hours, Sleep and Fatigue Forum: A Recap and Future Directions

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has had a longstanding interest in nonstandard work hours and associated health and safety effects. The last NIOSH meeting on this topic was held in 2004 and centered around long working hours and the impact on injuries, illnesses, and health behaviors. To build on this expertise, Read More >

Posted on by Imelda Wong, PhD, and Naomi Swanson, PhD11 Comments

Reducing Fatigue and Stress in the Retail Industry: Workplace solutions

Workplace fatigue and stress is a growing topic for worker safety and health research. For instance, workplace studies have shown that the nature of retail industry work may cause fatigue and stress. Nonstandard work schedules such as irregular and extended shifts, long periods of standing, and reduced staffing are a few reasons for health issues Read More >

Posted on by Donna Pfirman and Seleen Collins4 Comments