Fatigue is a critical safety and productivity issue in the Australian forestry industry. This research focused on fatigue management (FM) practices in the Green Triangle (GT) region in South Australia and Victoria. The research provides practical recommendations for enhancing FM systems across forestry operations. It supports the development of fatigue risk management guidelines tailored to various roles, including silviculture, harvesting, firefighting and vehicle operation. 

The project provides an evidence base for policy development, monitoring and education, with relevance for forestry operations in South Australia and beyond.

Key findings

• Key fatigue risks identified included early starts, long and consecutive shifts, rotating rosters and physically demanding outdoor work.
• The fire season and driving – especially at night – were highlighted as high-risk periods.
• Technology offers promising support for FM, with innovations such as fatigue monitoring apps, electronic logbooks, wearables, geofencing and cloud-based systems.
• Protective factors included a strong safety culture, support from family and community, and flexible work processes.
• Workers valued predictable schedules and the ability to plan rest, which were linked to better sleep, health and work-life balance.
• Long commutes were also identified as a key area for FM attention.