Fatigue Compliance
Smart businesses don’t just comply — they invest in it.
Safe Work Australia has published a Code of Practice: Managing The Risk Of Fatigue At Work to provide practical guidance to Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) on how to eliminate or minimise the risk of fatigue for your workers (so far as is reasonably practicable).
As an approved Code Of Practice under the WHS Act, this Code is intended to assist anyone who has a duty of care to achieve compliance with the WHS Act and WHS Regulations (WHS laws) in relation to workplace fatigue. This Code is admissible in court proceedings under the WHS laws.
Some industries — like rail, aviation, offshore oil and gas, mining and maritime — have strict rules in place to manage work-related fatigue. But with more and more businesses operating around the clock, other sectors are now recognising that fatigue is a real safety and performance risk that needs attention too.
What does this mean for your business?
If businesses don’t comply with their legal obligations, the consequences can be serious — for your workers and the future success of your business. Fatigue has been linked to workplace accidents, poor decision-making, reduced productivity, and costly errors. In regulated industries, non-compliance can also lead to fines, prosecution, and damage to your company’s reputation.
Compliance is worth investing in
Strong compliance isn’t just about meeting regulatory obligations — it’s a strategic investment in your people and your business. Effective fatigue compliance improves safety, boosts performance, and enhances productivity, while strengthening organisational reputation and resilience.
