Step 4 of 4•12 minutes read
Fatigue
Fatigue can be defined in many ways. However, it is generally described as a state of feeling tired, weary or sleepy due to prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of anxiety, exposure to a harsh environment or loss of sleep. The result of fatigue is impaired performance and decreased alertness.
The effects of fatigue are particularly dangerous in the shipping industry. The technical and specialised nature of this industry requires constant alertness and instant concentration. Fatigue is also dangerous because it can affect anyone regardless of skill, knowledge and training.
Effectively dealing with fatigue in the marine environment requires a holistic approach. There is no one-system approach to addressing fatigue, but there are certain principles (e.g. lifestyle, rest, medication, workload, etc.) that must be addressed. Knowing how/why you are fatigued will improve your understanding and aid you in managing these human element issues.
A tired employee taking a coffee break. Photo: Jörgen Språng.
How Do You Recognise Fatigue?
Fatigue can affect your mind, your emotions and your body e.g. your strength for tasks involving physical exertion is lessened and your mental agility in problem-solving/decision-making is reduced. Your level of alertness depends on fatigue and therefore, human performance can be impaired. The following are common fatigue symptoms:
One of the most common symptoms of fatigue is the inability to concentrate. One can feel preoccupied with a single task, focusing on trivial problems. This can lead to neglecting more important tasks throughout the day and, or the watch.
Poor memory recollection, failing to remember the sequence of a task, or repeating the same task can be a clear result of fatigue. If an emergency were to occur, your response would be sluggish or delayed due to slow memory recall.
Reduced decision-making ability is also a common indication of fatigue. This could lead to choosing risky options or failing to appreciate the importance of the situation. In more severe cases one can misjudge distance, time, speed, etc. leading to dangerous occurrences for both yourself and your colleagues.
It is not just one's mind that gets affected by fatigue. The inability to stay awake, speech can become slurred, and reduction in strength while lifting, pushing or pulling. You may also have an increased frequency of dropping objects as well as arms and legs feeling heavy; these are common side effects of fatigue.
Causes of Fatigue
There are many causes of fatigue. Some common ones are:
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Lack of sleep and/or poor quality of rest/sleep.
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Insufficient rest periods between work.
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Boring/repetitive work.
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Stress.
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Ship movement.
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Excessive workload.
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Noise and/or vibrations.
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Medical conditions and illness.
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Effects of alcohol and/or caffeine.
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Excessive heat and/or cold.
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Food (timing, frequency, content and quality).
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Poor workspace design.
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Religious practices i.e. Ramadan.
Mitigating Fatigue
To avoid fatigue, it is crucial to get sufficient sleep. When sleeping, make sure it is for as long as possible without disruption. Sometimes it could be useful to take strategic naps to boost your energy. Make sure to take your allotted breaks when they are scheduled, these have been planned by the officer/bosun to ensure all crew are given their full rest time. Regularly eating well-balanced meals (including fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and starches) and exercising regularly aid the body in keeping healthy. It is also good to develop and maintain good sleep habits, such as a pre-sleep routine.
Hours of Rest
When working onboard the crew is exposed to potential risks all the time and needs to stay alert. To maintain alertness the IMO has established a regulation that covers the limits on minimum resting hours and maximum working hours.
The regulation states that there must be documentation of the rest and working hours onboard. It is always the 'worst case' that counts and it is not from 00:00–24:00. All periods shall be counted from either the beginning or end of a rest period. The ship can choose to follow the limits of maximum working hours or the limits of minimum resting hours.
The Exception to the Work Rest Schedule
The rest period during 24 hours can be reduced from 10 to 6 hours, for a maximum of 48 hours, provided that the employee gets at least 6 hours of rest before and after the working period. However, this is only allowed if the employee receives a minimum of 70 hours of rest over seven days.
Make sure that the resting hours are followed; they exist to decrease the chance of fatigue and lower potential risks.
Exceeding the Rest Hour Regulations
The only time you can exceed the rest hour regulations is if you have an emergency, a drill, or other overriding conditions. Although, drills should be performed in a way that interferes as little as possible with the crew's rest periods. Also note that "other overriding conditions" do not mean arrival, departure, or tank cleaning. It means 'essential shipboard work which can not be delayed for safety and environmental reasons or which could not reasonably be anticipated at the commencement of the voyage'.