Fatigue, Stress & Safety Blind Spots

We share why fatigue and stress are operational hazards that warp decisions, narrow awareness, and fuel preventable incidents. We offer six human factors leaders miss and simple tools any team can use to slow down, reset, and work safer without sacrificing quality.

• reframing fatigue from personal failing to system risk
• how fatigue mimics intoxication and shrinks awareness
• microsleeps and why “I didn’t see it” is real
• stress overload, working memory drops, and snap decisions
• forklift case study showing overload, not negligence
• six human factors: cognitive load, repetition fatigue, emotional fatigue, deadline pressure, social pressure, sleep inequity
• leadership tools: one-minute check-in, reinforce the pause, remove rush signals
• team strategies: mental resets, teach micro fatigue, rotate tasks, talk about stress, audit scheduling
• empathy as a safety tool and culture builder

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a leader, a coworker, or someone who needs to hear that fatigue and stress definitely is not a weakness. New episode drops every other Tuesday. Until next time, stay safe, stay intentional, and always lead with purpose.

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Hosted by: Joe Garcia, Safety Leader & Culture Advocate
New Episodes Every Other Tuesday
Safety on Purpose

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