Toolbox talk, Health, about 6 minutes
Fatigue and alertness
Date
Site or job
Led by
Why this one
A tired worker is slower to react and quicker to cut corners, and may not realize it. Long shifts, night work and short sleep put whole crews at risk. This includes the drive home.
Say this
- 1.Fatigue looks like yawning, heavy eyelids, missed steps, slow reactions and short tempers.
- 2.Sleep is part of the job. Plan time to rest between shifts when you can.
- 3.Take your breaks. Move, drink water, and get some fresh air.
- 4.Caffeine helps for a little while. It doesn't replace sleep.
- 5.If you're too tired to work safely, tell your lead. That's not a weakness.
- 6.Be extra careful on tasks with equipment, heights, driving or energized work.
- 7.Don't drive home drowsy. Tell someone, take a break, or ask for a ride.
Ask the crew
- – When on a shift do you feel the least sharp, and what helps?
- – How can we spot when someone on the crew is too tired to work safely?
- – What would make it easier to say 'I'm running on empty'?
Watch for today
- Workers nodding off, staring, or making repeated small mistakes.
- Long or overnight stretches on critical tasks with no break.
- Crew members heading home from a long shift who look too tired to drive.
Close with: If you're too tired to be safe, say so.
Notes and questions raised
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A starting point. Adapt it to your job, your procedures and the rules that apply to you. portalbaseai.com/toolbox-talks