Composing motion 20 and amendments
This Congress notes that workplace fatigue is an increasing occupational health and safety risk across the UK economy. It affects workers in healthcare, transport, emergency services, manufacturing, social care and other safety-critical sectors. Congress notes a recent Unite survey showing that bus driver fatigue is putting workers, passengers and pedestrians at risk, and that many drivers don’t tell employers they are fatigued for fear of being penalised. Fatigue contributes to errors, accidents, sickness absence, burnout, poor retention and reduced productivity. In healthcare, exhausted staff can place both themselves and patients at risk, but the same principles apply wherever tiredness undermines safe performance. Workforce shortages, long hours, poor rota design, inadequate rest facilities and insufficient recovery time have intensified the problem. Employers are also increasingly attempting to introduce inappropriately designed ‘on call’ systems to compensate for and mask short staffing.
Congress recognises fatigue as a systemic workplace hazard. Fatigue should be treated as a preventable organisational hazard, not an individual weakness. Congress seeks national recognition of fatigue as a major workplace safety issue, supported by stronger guidance and, where necessary, regulation, legal duties requiring employers to undertake fatigue risk assessments and manage fatigue risks through appropriate staffing, welfare facilities, workforce consultation and effective regulatory enforcement.
The proposal aims to secure safer staffing levels, evidence-based rota and scheduling design, adequate rest breaks, suitable rest, toilet and welfare facilities, protection from extreme temperatures, protected recovery time between shifts, compensatory rest after periods of ‘on call and confidential mechanisms for workers to report fatigue without fear of detriment.
Health and safety representatives should receive training to identify, monitor and challenge fatigue risks. Fatigue management policies should be negotiated through collective bargaining.
Congress calls on the General Council to lobby government to work with employers, regulators, occupational health experts and affiliated unions to develop sector-specific fatigue management guidance. Effective fatigue management will improve worker wellbeing, reduce sickness absence, support retention, improve productivity, reduce avoidable errors and accidents, and protect service users and the wider public.
Mover: Hospital Doctors Union
Seconder: Unite
Supported by: Royal College of Midwives; Nautilus International