Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply fatigue management strategies, including identifying and acting upon signs of fatigue and implementing appropriate strategies to minimise fatigue during work activities, in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements. Licensing or certification requirements are not applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable federal and state/territory legislation and relevant regulations covering the management of fatigue in the workplace.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of the relevant regulations, codes and guidelines of the federal government and state/territory authorities concerning fatigue management during work activities and in particular when operating equipment, trains, vehicles, load shifting equipment, marine vessels and aircraft.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify and act upon signs of fatigue 

1.1 Potential causes of fatigue are identified and action is taken to minimise their effects in accordance with company procedures

1.2 Personal warning signs of fatigue are recognised and necessary steps are taken in accordance with workplace procedures to ensure that effective work capability and alertness are maintained

2 Implement strategies to minimise fatigue 

2.1 Workplace procedures are assessed to minimise fatigue

2.2 Factors which increase the risk of fatigue-related accidents and safety incidents are understood and minimised

2.3 Strategies to manage fatigue are implemented in accordance with company policy

2.4 Lifestyle choices are made which promote the effective long-term management of fatigue

2.5 Effective practices in combating fatigue are adopted and applied

2.6 Personal fatigue management strategies are communicated to other relevant people

2.7 Appropriate counter measures are planned to combat fatigue

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Relevant codes, regulations, permit and licence requirements related to fatigue management

• Relevant OH&S regulations as they relate to fatigue

• Workplace policies and procedures related to fatigue management and the control of factors that can contribute to fatigue and fatigue-related accidents

• Sources of information on fatigue

• The risks and hazards created by fatigue in the workplace

• How fatigue affects workplace performance

• How fatigue contributes to workplace accidents

• Ways of recognising fatigue

• Strategies and ways of managing fatigue

• Causes and effects of fatigue on workers/drivers

• Factors which increase fatigue-related accidents

• Lifestyles which promote the effective long-term management of fatigue

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when applying fatigue management strategies

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, regulations and signs related to fatigue management and apply them to work activities

• Recognise symptoms of fatigue and take appropriate action in accordance with fatigue management regulations and workplace procedures

• Work collaboratively with others to manage and minimise the effects of fatigue during work activities

• Adjust lifestyle patterns to ensure effective fatigue management during work activities

• Modify activities and take appropriate initiatives to manage fatigue in the workplace depending on differing work contexts, risk situations and environments

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise and control the effects of fatigue when carrying out own work functions

• Adapt to changes in rosters and standard operating procedures as they may relate to fatigue management

• Participate in identifying and meeting own learning needs on matters related to fatigue management

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and other/or simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and/or equipment, and/or
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Workplace may include:

• any work environment requiring safety critical operational judgements to be made and in particular when operating equipment, vehicles, load shifting equipment, trains, marine vessels and aircraft at night

The need for fatigue management in a range of industry situations including:

• operations conducted at all times but particularly at night
• typical weather conditions
• while working and/or driving at a workplace, depot, base or warehouse
• while working and/or driving at a client's workplace or worksite
• driving a motor vehicle on the open road
• driving a motor vehicle on a private road
• driving a train, locomotive or motive power unit
• operating a marine vessel in coastal or international waters
• operating an aircraft
• operating load shifting equipment
• operating safety critical industrial plant and equipment

Work-related factors that may contribute to fatigue include:

• work demands such as: workload, work duration, shift pattern, time of day, frequency and duration of breaks and the type of work (such as working in isolation, repetitive tasks and boring, monotonous or under-challenging tasks)
• organisational factors such as: work environment (including temperature, ventilation, continual rhythmic vibration from equipment), payment system, trip and work scheduling, and the predictability of work

Worker/operator-related factors that may contribute to fatigue include:

• lifestyle factors such as: sleep patterns, alcohol and drug use, quantity and timing of food and drink, and opportunities for relaxation with family and friends
• working multiple jobs
• personal or biological factors such as: state of mental and/or physical health, inadequate sleep, sleep disorders, emotional stress, family responsibilities, relationship difficulties, inadequate competence to complete work tasks, and circadian rhythms

Responsibilities of individual for fatigue risk management may include:

• following the organisation's fatigue management policy and procedures
• using time away from work appropriately to rest and recover
• checking and ensuring fitness for work
• reporting symptoms of fatigue
• taking action to minimise risk when symptoms of fatigue are recognised

Schedules may include:

• rosters
• vehicle schedules
• timetabling
• workplans

Depending on the organisation, operating procedures may include:

• standard operating procedures
• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information and documents may include:

• federal and state/territory regulations and guidelines concerning fatigue management in various transport and workplace situations
• workplace instructions and procedures on fatigue management
• relevant OH&S regulations and procedures
• work schedules and shift rosters
• emergency procedures
• log book or record book (where required)
• records and reports of fatigue-related errors and safety incidents
• relevant standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures

Applicable legislation, regulations and codes may include:

• relevant regulations and codes of the federal government and the state/territory regulatory authorities concerning fatigue management
• relevant state/territory road rules
• relevant rail industry safe working codes and regulations (where applicable)
• relevant state/territory permit regulations and requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management