Worker Fatigue in Electrical-Transmission and Distribution-Line Construction

Abstract

Within the construction industry, electrical transmission and distribution workers (TD workers) account for one of the highest fatality rates. Because of the hazardous nature of the work, there is little margin for human error. Previous research shows that fatigue exacerbates human error, thus representing a critical safety factor for TD work. Although researchers have studied the causes and consequences of fatigue in laboratory settings and in other industries, there is no research specific to TD worker fatigue. To address this knowledge gap and explore the principal fatigue causes and consequences as recognized by the workers; 143 TD power company workers were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Additionally, fatigue identification and mitigation techniques relevant to TD work and the impact of fatigue in accident causation were discovered. The results revealed that TD workers perceive extreme temperatures and long shifts to be the principal causes of their fatigue, resulting in reduced work pace and the loss of attention as the primary consequences. The results suggest that fatigue laboratory research may not directly apply to field conditions.