Fatigue Management Policy
This policy aims to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and operational efficiency of staff by managing fatigue in accordance with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) requirements and Dive Industry best practices.
Our Policy
As part of our committment to Health and Safety, staff are to have adequate and minimum rest periods between shifts to ensure that their decision making and operational capacity is not affected by fatigue.
1. Scope
This policy applies to all staff engaged in operational roles, including Dive Masters, Instructors and Skippers, and other personnel with decision making requirements.
2. Definitions
- Shift: Any period during which staff are scheduled to perform their duties.
- Rest period: The minimum 10-hour interval between the end of one shift and the start of the next
- Fatigue: A state of physical or mental exhaustion that reduces alertness and performance, increasing the risk of errors or accidents.
- Week: The period between 12.00am Monday and 11.59 Sunday
3. Implementation
Scheduling
All rosters must be designed to ensure at least 10 hours rest after any shift over 8 hours duration
Days Off
Each week every staff member must have, at a minimum, at least one 36 hour period without any shifts or work committments
NITROXAll staff are to use 32% NITROX while diving on an AIR PROFILE ONLY to a MAXIMUM DEPTH of 30meters.
Monitoring
All staff are responsible for monitoring their working hours and rest periods to ensure compliance including ensuring that they get adequate sleep during rest periods.
Record Keeping
Accurate records of shift start and finish times, including rest periods, must be maintained by management.
Overtime and Additional Shifts
Any additional shifts or broken shifts must be scheduled with adequate rest periods in mind. Overtime should not compromise rest requirements.
Fatigue Risk Management
Staff and management are encouraged to report signs of fatigue. The organization will provide appropriate support and reserves the right to amend any roster schedules to reduce staff fatigue risk.
Maximum Shift Length
No period of work, either a broken or continual shift, is to be over 16 hours within any 24 hour period
Training and awarenessAll staff are to recieve training on fatigue management practices, the importance of adequate rest and recognising signs of fatigue.
4. Compliance and Reporting
Any failure to comply with this policy must be reported to the Director. Non-compliance may result in remedial actions, including schedule adjustments, roster changes or enforced leave measures.