What is driver fatigue?
Fatigue is the physical and mental impairment brought about by inadequate rest over a period of time. Drivers who are suffering from sleep debt are at risk of ‘nodding off’ whilst driving and substantially increasing their risk of being involved in a crash.
Driver fatigue can severely impair judgement and can affect anyone. It is particularly dangerous because one of the symptoms is decreased ability to judge our own level of tiredness. Other symptoms vary between drivers, but may include:
- yawning
- poor concentration
- restlessness
- drowsiness
- slow reactions
- feeling irritable
- making fewer or larger steering corrections
- missing road signs
- having difficulty staying in the lane
AN EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide and maintain a safe fleet and to plan safe journeys for employees who drive in the course of their work. When drawing up a safety statement, employers must identify all hazards and risks for all employees, including those employees whose place of work is a vehicle. When assessing the risks imposed by driving for a living, employers must apply the principles of prevention set out in the General Application Regulations.
Among a range of interesting figures which emerged in the newsletter were:
- company vehicle drivers rank third in the fatal accidents occupational risk list
- company vehicle drivers are 49% more likely to have an accident than ordinary drivers
- Driver fatigue plays a significant part in up to 25% of accidents on motorways
- Workers coming off shift at 7am are more at risk than workers finishing at other times
What to do if you are a tired driver
1. NEVER DRIVE IF YOU’RE FIGHTING SLEEP.
2. When you start fighting sleep at the wheel, your impairment is as dangerous as driving over the legal alcohol limit.
3. Stop and take a nap for 15 minutes – (set your mobile phone alarm).
4. To really make the most of your break, take a Caffeine drink before the nap (150mg of Caffeine e.g. 2 cups of coffee).
5. After the nap, get some fresh air and stretch your legs.
6. By following all of the above advice you should be able to drive for another hour or more.
What if my query has not been answered here?
If your query has not been answered here please contact Mick O Toole of Chamber Health & Safety on 01 855 4861 or Freda at Fingal Dublin Chamber on 8900977.
Chamber Health & Safety and Chamber HR are part of a major initiative in the area of Helath & Safety and Human Resource Management and Employment Law developed exclusively for Chamber members with Peninsula Business Services, the leading Employment Law and Health & Safety consultants.
Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Buildings, North Street, Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. T +353 1 890 0977 I F +353 1 890
0990 I E info@fingaldublinchamber.ie
