Contributors to fatigue at a platinum smelter in South Africa

Abstract

Fatigue is a significant concern in the mining industry as it is a causal or contributing factor in many incidents and accidents. Fatigue can be caused by work-and non-work-related factors. There is a lack of information about associations between demographic and other non-work factors, and fatigue. This study aimed to assess associations between demographic, work, living, and socioeconomic conditions, and lifestyle characteristics, and fatigue at a platinum smelter in South Africa. Eight interviews with management and two focus groups with production workers were conducted, and 75 questionnaires were completed by production and other workers. Both work-and non-work-related factors were considered to be causes of fatigue. These factors included overtime, shift work, high workloads, activities performed outside of work, age, race, housing tenure, diet, sleep disorders, stress, and job satisfaction. In general, higher levels of fatigue were reported by younger participants, those who rented accommodation, ate less healthily, had a sleep disorder, and those with high levels of stress and low job satisfaction. As various demographic, lifestyle, and wellness-related factors were associated with fatigue, both work and non-work contributors should be addressed in fatigue management plans.

Fatigue and its associated risk factors among shift workers: A systematic review

“…Four studies discussed the difference of fatigue among different age groups where only Lu et al (2017) concluded that elder workers had higher fatigue scores when compared with younger workers. However, the other three studies (Courtney et al, 2013; Pelders & Nelson, 2019; Pisarski and Barbour, 2014) concluded otherwise. One study (Pelders & Nelson, 2019) reported that race was significantly associated with fatigue, where black participants in this study reported fatigue more frequently than those of other races.…”

“…However, the other three studies (Courtney et al, 2013; Pelders & Nelson, 2019; Pisarski and Barbour, 2014) concluded otherwise. One study (Pelders & Nelson, 2019) reported that race was significantly associated with fatigue, where black participants in this study reported fatigue more frequently than those of other races. In regard to marital status, Korompeli et al (2014) described that fatigue score was higher among widows and divorced shift workers when compared with single shift workers, while Verma et al (2017) found a significant association between fatigue and married workers.…”

“…A standard definition of fatigue was lacking and varied in the included studies, as only seven studies provided its definition by referring to the definition in other studies. Patterson et al (2015) used a definition by Ream and Richardson (1996), Mehta et al (2017) stated the definition used by Mason et al (2015), Violanti et al (2018) defined it using the definition used by Frone and Tidwell (2015) and Moore‐Ede et al (2010), Pelders and Nelson (2019) and Rasoulzadeh et al (2015) stated the definition used by Williamson et al (2011), Sorengaard et al (2019) defined it using the definition used by Huibers et al (2003), and Lu et al (2017) used the definition by van der Linden et al (2003). The usage of fatigue terms in the studies was also varied as every study used different terms of fatigue based on the type of measurements used in their studies.…”

“…Pisarski and Barbour (2014) observed a significant negative relationship between fatigue and roster management, where fatigue among shift workers increased with the passing time when workers cannot manage their roster. Pelders and Nelson (2019) found that job satisfaction is significantly associated with fatigue, where people with poorer job satisfaction reported higher levels of fatigue. Two studies (Pelders & Nelson, 2019; Rasoulzadeh et al, 2015) indicated that work stress is one of the causes of fatigue as stress workers were found to have a high score of fatigue.…”

“…Pelders and Nelson (2019) found that job satisfaction is significantly associated with fatigue, where people with poorer job satisfaction reported higher levels of fatigue. Two studies (Pelders & Nelson, 2019; Rasoulzadeh et al, 2015) indicated that work stress is one of the causes of fatigue as stress workers were found to have a high score of fatigue. Table 2 shows a summary of work‐related factors associated with fatigue prevalence among shift workers.…”