What are the 8 Best Management Practices to Reduce Driver Fatigue?

 Employees are the vital assets of an organization. Although you can't 100 per cent ensure whether they had a good night's sleep every night, what you can do is take some practical steps to ensure their fatigue for reducing motor vehicle incidences (MVI).



Implementing basic fatigue management (BFM) programs and fatigue monitoring devices remains some of the most outstanding ways to reduce MVIs, ensuring the safety of your employees and improving the overall work culture of your company.

8 Best Management Practices to Reduce Fatigue in Drivers

Encourage employees for a better lifestyle

A proper balance is work and life makes an employee less susceptible to fatigue. Encourage employees to lead a better life by investing in employee wellness programs such as providing gym passes at discounted rates, installing stationary cycles, stair machines, etc., in the company.

Understand your employees

Know the limitations of each employee. Try to interact with them every day, check their mannerism, and evaluate their physical and verbal behaviour for any sign of fatigue. Overall, create a workplace with open lines of communication where employees can discuss their workload and work on solutions.

Implement flexible scheduling

We all know the covenant of client-customer commitments, which is one of the crucial reasons to keep your employees safe and healthy. Some employees are not physically and mentally capable of schedule changes. That's why some employees can always work their best in the morning while some at night. Mixing them up can be counterproductive.

Not the limit of expectation

Each driver has their fatigue tolerance; expecting all drivers to perform at a mechanic level is biologically impossible. Some drivers can work tirelessly for 12 hours with the same physical capacities. Meanwhile, some people's efficiency may start to decline after the 10th hour.

Allows drivers for regular breaks

Allow your drivers to take frequent breaks during the trip. Instruct them to make a stop to get some fresh air, do some stretching and nourish themselves.

Teach drivers about proper driving ergonomics

Handling a stick for hours can reduce the body's efficiency and create mental fatigue as well. With a fatigue management program, you can teach drivers how to set up their seating arrangements ergonomically.

Make changes in organizational policies and practices

Transport and hauling companies must implement policies and practices encouraging positive sleep hygiene behaviours of drivers and other employees, such as using safety gears, staying hydrated, exercising, sleeping at least 7 hours a day, etc.

Consider teaming 

Instead of sending solo drivers in long hauls, try to send them in in a team. This will limit your fatigue-related incidents as when one employee is driving; the other can rest.

Although basic fatigue management (BFM) programs are important for the transportation and freight industry, the benefit of this program applies to any industry. The first step is to educate staff on fatigue management through proper training. It increases your rate of productivity and keeping your work culture happy and healthy.

End Thoughts

Though these methods work like a charm towards reducing fatigue while driving, they are temporary fixes. You must know how to deal with fatigue in the long term. And that's possible when you receive training under a Nationally recognized training institute like KRTS. They offer fatigue management courses both for driver and scheduler. You receive best training from top class industry experts to manage your fatigue with ease. 

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