There is growing evidence that certain features of work organisation related to working time are linked to an increased of errors, accidents and possibly to ill-health. The Fatigue Index provides a straightforward way of comparing the features of two working patterns in terms of their relative contributions to fatigue. The Index can be used with care to inform employers' decisions about proposed changes to working patterns. Whilst the Index, in its present form is useful, there are particular areas where HSE is planning some further work. Notes to Editors 1.
Human factors represent a thread that runs throughout any safety management system.
A key message is that human error is usually predictable, and therefore manageable and preventable. HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.