Researcher helps mining industry wake up to fatigue issues
Published on 24 June, 2011
CQUniversity sleep and fatigue specialist Associate Professor Naomi Rogers is working with government agencies and mining unions to produce voluntary industry guidelines, designed to ensure workers are both fit for work and also safe when travelling home.
Assoc Prof Rogers says it's encouraging the industry is looking at ways to manage fatigue both on and off the work site.
She says it's vital for mandatory standards to help reduce the number of traffic accidents attributable to fatigue after long shifts.
"Fatigue management needs to extend beyond ensuring workers are fit for duty, as entire communities feel the effect of fatigue-related accidents," she says.
Assoc Prof Rogers and her CQUniversity academic colleague Professor Lee Di Milia are currently attending the International Shiftwork conference in Sweden.
