Fatigue is everywhere. Workers across Canada are showing up for shifts running on fumes. Whether it’s long hours, shift work, family demands, or just not getting quality rest, fatigue is quietly becoming one of the most overlooked hazards in the workplace. And here’s the thing: being tired doesn’t just make people sluggish—it makes them unsafe.
Worker fatigue doesn’t always mean someone’s falling asleep at their workstation. It shows up in subtler ways: slower reactions, poor focus, risky decision-making, or simply zoning out at critical moments. And when that happens on a job site, behind the wheel, or even in an office with high mental demand, the results can be serious—sometimes fatal.
This blog will walk you through what fatigue really is, how it impacts workplace safety, and what practical, real-world strategies you can use to manage it. We’ll also show you how Calgary Safety Consultants can help your business turn fatigue from a silent threat into a managed risk.
Fatigue is more than just being tired. It’s a state of mental and physical exhaustion that reduces a person’s ability to work safely and effectively. It can be acute—like after a tough day or night of little sleep—or chronic, building up over days or weeks with inadequate recovery.
Fatigue can impair memory, attention span, coordination, reaction time, and the ability to process information. It can also increase emotional irritability and reduce motivation, which means not only are your workers functioning at a lower level—they might also be cutting corners or ignoring procedures.
And here’s the scary part: the effects of fatigue mirror those of alcohol. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) states that being awake for 17 hours is equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%, while 21 hours is like having a BAC of 0.08%—the legal limit for impaired driving in Canada.
Source: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/fatigue.html
In Canada, fatigue has played a role in major industrial incidents and continues to impact productivity and workplace safety across every sector—from long-haul trucking to healthcare to construction. Fatigue doesn’t care if you’re a front-line labourer or a senior manager. Everyone is vulnerable if the conditions are right.
For Canadian employers, the cost of ignoring fatigue includes:
Whether you’re leading a small contracting team or overseeing a large institutional facility, fatigue is a risk you can’t afford to overlook.
It’s not always obvious, but the signs are there if you know what to look for:
Supervisors should be trained to identify these signs and respond early—before fatigue leads to an injury or mistake.
Managing fatigue in the workplace doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your operation—but it does require intentional planning and consistent effort. Here are several evidence-based strategies you can start with today.
1. Educate Your Team
Start with awareness. Many workers don’t realize how serious fatigue is, or how much it’s affecting their safety and performance. Integrate fatigue education into:
Workers should understand how to recognize fatigue in themselves and others, how sleep and recovery impact safety, and how lifestyle choices (nutrition, hydration, substance use) can worsen or improve fatigue risk.
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we offer fatigue-specific training tailored to your industry. Our sessions can be delivered in person or virtually and are designed to be engaging, relevant, and practical. Learn more at https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca/online-training/.
2. Rethink Scheduling
A lot of fatigue issues can be traced back to scheduling. Long shifts, short turnaround times, inconsistent hours, and night work all increase fatigue risk.
Best practices include:
For shift-heavy industries like healthcare or security, schedule audits can help identify and reduce high-risk fatigue patterns. Calgary Safety Consultants can assist in reviewing and revising your scheduling practices for fatigue control.
Guide: https://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/fatigue_management/
3. Improve the Work Environment
Lighting, temperature, noise, and ventilation all play a role in alertness. Even seemingly small changes can significantly reduce fatigue.
Tips include:
In office environments, allowing workers to alternate between sitting and standing can also reduce fatigue and improve circulation.
4. Encourage and Protect Breaks
Breaks are one of the most effective fatigue management tools—but only if they’re actually taken. In high-demand settings, workers often skip or shorten breaks, especially under deadline pressure.
Employers should:
Don’t treat breaks as lost time—they’re an investment in productivity and safety.
5. Implement a Fit-for-Duty Policy
Not all fatigue is schedule-related. Medical conditions (like sleep apnea), stress, medication, or substance use can also affect a worker’s alertness. A Fit-for-Duty Policy clarifies:
Calgary Safety Consultants can help you develop a Fit-for-Duty Policy that meets Alberta OH&S requirements while protecting both worker privacy and operational safety. Learn more: https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca/contact-us/
6. Use a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS)
A formal Fatigue Risk Management System helps embed fatigue awareness into your health and safety program. It includes:
FRMS is essential for industries where alertness is critical—like transportation, energy, and emergency response—but adaptable to any workplace.
Transport Canada Driver Fatigue Guide: https://tc.canada.ca/en/services/road/fatigue-management-guide-canadian-commercial-vehicle-drivers
7. Lead by Example
The best fatigue program will fail if leadership doesn’t walk the talk. If supervisors are burning the candle at both ends, workers will assume it’s expected.
Leaders should:
Culture change starts with leadership—and fatigue management needs to be part of that culture.
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we work with businesses across Alberta to build safer, more resilient workplaces. Fatigue risk is a critical component of that.
Our services include:
Every workplace is different, and so is every fatigue risk profile. We tailor our approach based on your operations, workforce, and regulatory needs. Whether you're managing a construction crew, educational facility, manufacturing line, or transportation fleet, we’ll help you get fatigue under control—before it becomes a crisis.
Get started at https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca or reach out for a free initial consultation.
Worker fatigue isn’t always dramatic—but it’s always dangerous. It creeps in slowly, chips away at performance, and sets the stage for errors that can change lives. As employers, you have a legal and moral responsibility to manage fatigue as part of your OH&S system.
Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help Canadian businesses build policies, training, and systems that put worker safety first—even when energy is running low.
Your workers give their energy to your business every day. Let’s make sure they don’t run on empty.
Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices.
Worker fatigue is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that affects concentration, reaction time, and decision-making. It increases the risk of incidents, especially in safety-sensitive roles.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, being awake for 17 hours can impair you as much as a 0.05% blood alcohol level, and 21 hours equals 0.08%, which is legally impaired.
Signs include frequent mistakes, slower performance, irritability, reduced focus, near-miss incidents, and increased absenteeism or presenteeism.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
