No laughing matter: Chronic fatigue

Each year, the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab) participates in an inter-organizational review that focuses on Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) practices, including training programs. In the most recent review, the ESH Advisory Council gave Sanford Lab high marks, especially in the areas of its Fatigue Management program and the health and wellness initiatives. 

“The ESHAC reviewers come from Stanford, the University of Pittsburgh, Fermilab and Lawrence Berkely Lab,” said Larry Jaudon, ESH director at Sanford Lab. “They said our program is ‘best in class.’ I was elated. To be acknowledged by this renowned groups says a great deal about the Sanford Lab team. I am so proud of them.”

What is fatigue? 

According to the National Safety Council, 43 percent of Americans are sleep-deprived—with those who work night shifts, long shifts or irregular shifts most at risk. And while many people make light of how little sleep they get, it’s not a laughing matter. When being tired turns into fatigue, it creates real problems—not only for individuals, but for their co-workers.

“Fatigue is very different from feeling tired,” said Larry Jaudon, director of Environment, Safety and Health at Sanford Lab. “When people are fatigued, they are more sensitive, their reaction times are slower and they are more apt to make mistakes.”

While acute fatigue is most often caused by lack of sleep—usually less than the recommended 7-9 hours per night—overwork or exhaustion also play a role. 

Sleep is a vital factor to overall health; yet 30 percent of American adults get less than 6 hours each night. According to the NSC, sleep deprivation can cause depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. And driving while fatigued or overtired is like driving drunk. Take the following into consideration:

• If you are fatigued, you are three times more likely to be in a car crash 
• More than 5,000 people died in drowsy-driving related crashes in 2014
• Losing even two hours of sleep is similar to the effect of having three beers
• Being awake for more than 20 hours is the equivalent of being legally drunk

And the estimated cost to employers $136 billion a year in health-related lost productivity

What is Sanford Lab doing? 

In October 2018, Sanford Lab developed and implemented a comprehensive fatigue management program designed to help reduce the riskof fatigue-related injuries and incidents in the workplace.

“The safety and health of Sanford Lab’s employees are important. Our people matter,” Jaudon said. “Our Fatigue Management program addresses things like shift schedules, shift rotations, hours of work and hours for recovery—which, by the way, are as important as the hours you work. We also recognize that the responsibility for managing fatigue is shared between our employees and management. That’s why training is so important.”

Despite the kudos from ESHAC, Jaudon knows Sanford Lab can’t rest on its laurels. 

“We recognize that fatigue is an ongoing concern and that it is a component of any safety-related incident,” he said. “We’ve put world-class controls in place and will hold annual refresher training for every staff member.”

The program has been well received across the organization.

“Our employees take this seriously and are much more aware of the effects of fatigue,” said Julie Ewing, safety and health superintendent at Sanford Lab. “Personnel discuss this program in tool-box talks and apply it to their duties.” 

Signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue may include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of memory or concentration
• Sore throat
• Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
• Unexplained muscle or joint pain
• Headaches
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise

Learn more about fatigue here: 

National Safety Council

Mayo Clinic

Fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses, such as infections or psychological disorders. In general, see your doctor if you have persistent or excessive fatigue.

The Environment, Safety and Health Department at Sanford Underground Research Facility promotes health and safety in the workplace, as well as healthy living and wellness for all employees. If you have questions about health and wellness, please contact our occupational health nurse, Laura Baatz, who is onsite daily at lbaatz@sanfordlab.org.