LANDSCAPE ONTARIO – WORKPLACE SAFETY TAILGATE TALKS
© 2026, WSPS.CA 45
FATIGUE AND REACTION TIME
Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment Hazards
?
How much sleep do people need on average to be alert,
safe and productively effective?
!
Fatigue can be due to physical work and can cause muscle
tightness and cramping. The combination of loss of muscular
output and control, decreased atention, diminished reaction
times, and loss of sensitivity, can result in higher tendency
of injuries and incidents.
Prevention Points
Outdoor workers often work long hours. Strenuous and physical
work can push the body to the point of fatigue. Fatigue may
affect the brain, long before you even recognize it as physical
exhaustion, and can impact your concentration levels, reaction
time and productivity.
To avoid an injury due to fatigue, consider:
Review the General Health & Safety Best Practices section on
page 11 before performing any task.
Taking regular rest breaks – and if possible, take extra breaks
when needed, typically late morning and late afternoon.
Avoid repeated tasks for long periods of time, rotate tasks
during the shift.
