Fatigue Management

For commercial vehicle drivers

Driver fatigue is a foreseeable risk for all drivers. For drivers of commercial vehicles it is an occupational hazard which, under Occupational Safety and Health laws, must be managed by a safe system of work.

The Code of Practice on Fatigue Management for Commercial Vehicle Drivers provides guidance on what a safe system should consider. The Code provides guidance to industry, the authorities and the Courts. The Code provides a defence against prosecution and the basis for prosecution.

Driver fatigue is one of the most significant safety hazards facing the road transport industry world-wide. Bus and truck crashes are dangerous and costly to all road users, and fatigue is a major contributor.

Fatigue means a gradual loss of alertness that leads to occasional nodding off and then sleep. Fatigue causes drowsy driving. Drowsy drivers are more likely to have a crash by running off the road or having a head-on collision.

The three main causes of drowsy driving are too little sleep, driving when you would normally be asleep and working or being awake for very long hours. Other factors like highway boredom, road conditions and weather compound these major causes.

To prevent fatigue related crashes, these factors need to be managed through correct scheduling practices, training and education. The Code is an important tool in making this accepted industry practice.

WorkSafe fatigue management

Workplaces may freely utilise the fatigue management website, provided by WorkSafe, for training and assessing purposes. The website offers the following training courses;

  • For Drivers: Apply fatigue management strategies
  • For Administrators: Administer the implementation of fatigue management strategies

They also provide a handy resource section, which provides relevant documents and additional resources.

Apply fatigue management strategies

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply fatigue management strategies, including identifying and acting on signs of fatigue, and implementing appropriate strategies to minimise fatigue during work activities, to meet legislative and regulatory requirements.

There are three online lessons and three quizzes. You must pass all three quizzes to obtain a Certificate of Completion. The passing score is over 85%. The date on the Certificate of Completion can be updated at any time by redoing and passing all the quizzes.

Administer the implementation of fatigue management strategies

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to administer the implementation of fatigue management strategies in an organisation.

There are four online lessons and five quizzes. You must pass all five quizzes to obtain a certificate. The passing score is over 85%.

The date on the Certificate of Completion can be updated at any time by redoing and passing all the quizzes.

Course material

Code of practice: Fatigue management for commercial vehicle drivers (2019)

The Western Australia’s code of practice for the fatigue management of commercial drivers provides practical guidance to industry on occupational safety and health regulations for driving commercial vehicles. The regulations establish an operating standard for hours of work and rest and other requirements for the management of commercial vehicle operators’ fatigue.

The study guide: Staying alert at the wheel

This document contains all of the material that appears in the fatigue management online lessons for drivers.

Code of practice: Working hours

The study guide – Developing a driver fatigue management plan File

The study guide – Developing a driver fatigue management plan

This document is the key resource for this unit and therefore you will need to understand the guide to be able to complete this course.

A Guide to Main Roads Rest Areas and Roadside Amenities

Planning ahead is crucial to managing fatigue on long road trips. This link lists the rest areas and amenities Main Roads provide on 17 major routes through WA to enable you to manage fatigue whilst traveling. It contains roadwork/event notifications for all road users.

Beyond Midnight Consulting is a Western Australian company specialising in sleep and fatigue management, offering tailored solutions to help organisations and individuals address fatigue risks in workplaces and daily life. Founded by Dr. Nick Mabbott, who has over 25 years of expertise in the field, the company provides innovative tools and training to reduce fatigue-related incidents, particularly in high-risk industries like transport, mining, and construction.

Their services include:

  • Fatigue Risk Assessments: Evaluating workplace rosters and routines to minimise fatigue risks.
  • Training Programs: Online and face-to-face sessions designed for employees and supervisors, with customisable modules to meet specific needs.
  • Educational Resources: Tools to improve understanding of sleep hygiene and manage conditions like insomnia.
  • Books and Media: Dr. Mabbott’s book, The Wonder of Sleep, offers practical guidance on achieving better rest and its link to overall safety and performance​​.
  • Interview with Dr. Nick Mabbott – Sleep Expert​

Beyond Midnight Consulting is highly recommended for transport industry professionals seeking to enhance workplace safety and employee well-being through better sleep management. For more information, visit their website at Beyond Midnight Consulting​