Overview
Organisations have a responsibility to manage fatigue-related risk in their operations. This unit builds on your understanding of risk management and workplace health and safety concepts and allows you to apply them to the hazard of fatigue. You will identify and evaluate the causes and consequences of fatigue, and apply the scientific evidence in developing guidance for the management of the individual, organisational and community risks. You will also explore and evaluate current regulatory and legal frameworks relating to the management of fatigue related risk.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluations and teaching team reflections.
Ensure up-to-date content including latest research and best practice.
Update all recorded lectures and reading material.
- Explain the physiological and psychological effects of fatigue
- Compare and contrast how work and non-work factors mediate fatigue
- Assess fatigue related risks associated with different working time arrangements and tasks
- Critically evaluate a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) identifying gaps and recommending enhancements reflecting scientific and regulatory best-practice.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Annotated bibliography - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Report - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Information for Textbooks is not yet available.
The textbooks have not yet been finalised.IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
sally.ferguson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit.
Fatigue risk management - taking a safety management and risk-based approach.
Fatigue as a psychosocial hazard.
Chapter
Lerman et al (2012). Fatigue Risk Management in the Workplace. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54(2), 231–258.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
What is fatigue?
The science of sleep and circadian rhythms.
Fatigue and other sleep disorders.
Chapter
Foster RG. Sleep, circadian rhythms and health. Interface Focus. 1020190098 (2020) http://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2019.0098
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Causes and consequences of fatigue.
Why fatigue matters in workplaces.
Chapter
Wong IS, Swanson N. Approaches to managing work-related fatigue to meet the needs of American workers and employers. Am J Ind Med. 2022; 65: 827-831. doi:10.1002/ajim.23402
Moreno CRC, Marqueze EC, Sargent C, Wright Jr KP, Ferguson SA, Tucker P. Working Time Society consensus statements: Evidence-based effects of shift work on physical and mental health. Industrial Health. 2019, 57: 139-157. DOI:10.2486/indhealth.SW-1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Components of an FRMS.
Comparison with prescriptive hours-of-service rules.
Chapter
Lerman et al (2012). Fatigue Risk Management in the Workplace. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54(2), 231–258.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Policy and governance.
Roles and responsibilities.
Regulatory frameworks including shared responsibility model.
Chapter
Gander P, Hartley L, Powell D, Cabon P, Hitchcock E, Mills A, Popkin S. Fatigue risk management: Organizational factors at the regulatory and industry/company level. Accident analysis and prevention, 2011, 43(2), 573–590 doi:10.1016/j.aap.2009.11.007
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Hazards identification - tools, data sources.
Fatigue risk assessment - what and how.
Chapter
Lerman et al (2012). Fatigue Risk Management in the Workplace. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54(2), 231–258.
Gander P, Hartley L, Powell D, Cabon P, Hitchcock E, Mills A, Popkin S. Fatigue risk management: Organizational factors at the regulatory and industry/company level. Accident analysis and prevention, 2011, 43(2), 573–590 doi:10.1016/j.aap.2009.11.007
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Annotated bibliography Due: Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Predictive, proactive and reactive controls.
The Defences in Depth framework for fatigue
Chapter
Wong IS, Popkin S, Folkard S. Working Time Society consensus statements: A multi-level approach to managing occupational sleep-related fatigue. Industrial Health, 2019, 57: 228-244.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Scheduling principles and tools.
Fitness for duty principles and tools.
Chapter
Garde AH, Begtrup L, Bjorvatn B, Bonde JP, Hansen J, Hansen ÅM, Härmä M, Jensen MA, Kecklund G, Kolstad HA, Larsen AD, Lie JA, Moreno CRC, Nabe-Nielsen K, Sallinen M. How to schedule night shift work in order to reduce health and safety risks. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 2020, 46, 557 – 569. DOI:10.5271/sjweh.3920
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Online discussion forum Due: Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Training for different roles.
Technologies and future trends.
Chapter
Barger LK, Runyon MS, Renn ML, Moore CG, Weiss PM, Condle JP, Flickinger KL, Divecha AA, Coppler PJ, Sequeira DJ Lang ES Higgins JS, Patterson PD. Effect of Fatigue Training on Safety, Fatigue, and Sleep in Emergency Medical Services Personnel and Other Shift Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prehospital Emergency Care, 2018, 22, 58-68. doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2017.1362087
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Continuous improvement in FRMS.
Safety performance indicators and the data-driven approach to fatigue management.
Chapter
Sprajcer M, Thomas MJW, Sargent C, Crowther ME, Boivin DB, Wong IS, Smiley A, Dawson D. How effective are Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS)? A review. Accident analysis and prevention, 2022, 165, 106398. DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2021.106398
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
Incident Investigation – identifying fatigue as a causal factor.
Chapter
Dawson et al (2018). Determining the likelihood that fatigue was present in a road accident: A theoretical review and suggested accident taxonomy, Sleep Medicine Reviews, 42: 202-210
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
Module/Topic
A summary and review
Chapter
No additional reading
Events and Submissions/Topic
Drop-in session - see moodle for details
FRMS review and Gap Analysis Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online discussion forum
You will write a total of FOUR posts for this assessment.
Using Topic Prompt 1 you will write one original post.
You will also write a response to an original post by one of your peers in the Topic Prompt 1 discussion.
Using Topic Prompt 2 you will write one original post.
You will also write a response to an original post by one of your peers in the Topic Prompt 2 discussion.
Topic prompt 1 - Fatigue is caused by work- and non-work-related factors. Why should employers be responsible for managing fatigue related risk? What are the benefits for employers?
Topic prompt 2 - A new manufacturing plant is proposing a shift schedule that involves everyone doing either permanent day shift (10 hours) or permanent night shifts (14 hours). What factors should go into their risk assessment and why?
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Online via the ASSESSMENT TAB on moodle
Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025)
Your original posts will be assessed based on your knowledge of, and engagement with, the topic demonstrated by your analysis and integration of relevant scientific and grey literature. Your post will be supported by scientific evidence, including references from the unit e-reading list. You will communicate clearly, concisely and consistently. Your original posts will be 500-600 words each not counting the bibliography.
Your response posts will NOT assess your peer’s post. Your response posts will review the case made by your peer and extend it with further supporting evidence, or make a different case based on evidence. You will engage with the substance of, and evidence cited in your peer’s post. Your response posts will be 500-600 words each not counting the bibliography.
A rubric will be provided on the moodle site.
- Explain the physiological and psychological effects of fatigue
- Compare and contrast how work and non-work factors mediate fatigue
- Assess fatigue related risks associated with different working time arrangements and tasks
- Critically evaluate a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) identifying gaps and recommending enhancements reflecting scientific and regulatory best-practice.
2 Annotated bibliography
Fatigue impacts physiological and psychological performance that in turn can impact workplace safety and long-term health and well-being. From the literature, identify FOUR journal articles that discuss a work- or non-work related factor or factors that contribute to fatigue. Summarise the findings and implications of each article. Synthesise the evidence from your review of the four articles into specific recommendations for a heavy vehicle transport operation with drivers working around the clock to manage fatigue risk in their operation.
You must use the template provided on moodle.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Online via moodle
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025)
You will be assessed on: your knowledge of the topic including identification of factors that contribute to fatigue, the quality of scientific evidence sourced in support of argument, your ability to critically analyse literature and apply to a real-world context, and the clarity and consistency of communication. The rubric will be available on moodle.
You must use the template provided on moodle.
- Explain the physiological and psychological effects of fatigue
- Compare and contrast how work and non-work factors mediate fatigue
3 Report
A Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) enables an organisation to identify the risks that fatigue presents to its workers’ health and safety, and put in place strategies to mitigate those risks. In this assessment you will review a FRMS policy and provide recommendations for revisions.
The FRMS policy for review will be made available on moodle after vacation week.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Upload file via the ASSESSMENT TAB
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
You will be assessed based on evidence that you: 1) evaluated the FRMS in terms of its specific processes for hazard identification and risk mitigation; 2) identified gaps in the FRMS; and 3) suggested improvements to the FRMS based on the understanding of scientific and regulatory best- practice you have developed in this course. Clarity, conciseness and consistency of language and voice in the writing will also be assessed.
Your report should be approximately 2000 words (not including your bibliography).
- Assess fatigue related risks associated with different working time arrangements and tasks
- Critically evaluate a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) identifying gaps and recommending enhancements reflecting scientific and regulatory best-practice.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
