Fatigue
The 2004 Wran Mine Safety Review highlighted hours of work and fatigue as one of the single most important issues facing the mining and extractives industry in NSW and prioritised it accordingly. The Digging Deeper Report research indicated that hours of work in the NSW mining and extractives industry are long, and fatigue needs to be addressed. The Wran Review specifically recommended that an assessment of hours of work and fatigue in the industry be undertaken and that the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) make a recommendation on how the fatigue risks are addressed.
Through an extensive review of available information, and constructive negotiation between stakeholders, MSAC has endorsed the Guide to the development and implementation a Fatigue Management Plan. Agreement on this document is considered a significant milestone and provides an opportunity for the industry to move toward World-leading OHS. The document is endorsed by MSAC.
The guide:
- identifies who needs a fatigue management plan
- explains how to develop a site-specific fatigue management plan
- identifies the need for a policy commitment to effectively manage fatigue
- explains early and ongoing consultation roles for all relevant groups
- identifies everyone's role
- is risk management based, requiring: hazard identification; risk assessment; control of the risks; and evaluation of the effectiveness of the risk control process
- requires risk assessment advice with triggers and action points
- requires all mines with fatigue risks to have a documented fatigue management plan that is part of its OHS management system or plan
- applies to all employees and contractors working on sites
- explains required training, documentation, and record keeping.
This guide provides practical advice on how mines, through consultation, develop and implement a fatigue management plan. I&I NSW is implementing an education and assistance program to support the implementation by the NSW mining and extractives industry.
Training Package
The training package consists of a suite of tools to enable industry to deliver their own Fatigue Management Plan workshop. The workshop will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to implement a fatigue management plan and meet their obligations to manage fatigue under NSW OHS legislation. The training package is a support resource for MSAC’s Fatigue Management Plan Guide. The package consists of:
- Facilitator’s manual - provides the facilitators with sufficient information about fatigue risk management to allow them to adequately present training/toolbox talks to employees.
- Supporting Power Point slides - to be utilised as optional resources for the facilitator.
- Participant’s manual - is used as a workbook and future reference resource.
