IAI releases Fatigue Risk Management guidelines for the aluminium industry

On Wednesday, November 11, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) published a set of guidelines on Fatigue Risk Management for the aluminium industry, aiming to help IAI member companies and other aluminium industry stakeholders to manage fatigue in the workplace with a systematic approach.

Commenting on the Guidelines, IAI Deputy Secretary General Chris Bayliss said: “There is overwhelming evidence that fatigue, a consequence of lack of sleep, negatively impacts both the health and the safety of workers. It is therefore important that fatigue is identified as a health and safety risk and management system are put in place to control that risk.  This is particularly relevant as the industry adapts its working practices to manage Covid and other disease transmission risks.”

The International Aluminium Institute considers these guidelines utmost important in protecting the safety and wellbeing of the industry’s workforce.

Bayliss added: It is essential that organisations begin to look at how fatigue can be considered within existing or emerging health and safety risk management systems and that such systems get buy in from workers as well as management. Fatigue risk management is a shared responsibility of both the employer and the employee and must be implemented across organisations. If all stakeholders work together, they can build a culture of fatigue awareness which will benefit all.”

The guidelines recommend: 1) IAI member companies must consider fatigue a specially listed contributing factor in incidents reported or in accident investigation systems.

2) IAI companies should incorporate fatigue risk management approach within existing health & safety, wellness, and human resources initiatives.

3) IAI member companies must conduct training at workplace focusing on the science of sleep, fatigue physiology, sleep disorders, alertness, etc.

4) IAI member companies may also make use of technologies to assist in the measurement and management of fatigue.