Making the Business Case for Safety Innovation with Fatigue Monitoring Wearables

A 2024 Work to Zero survey found that fatigue was the most likely exposure reported by both employers and employees, as well as a top contributor to workplace injuries overall. Fatigue monitoring wearables are sensor-equipped devices that track indicators of fatigue and impairment through methods like EEG brainwave monitoring, visual cue detection (such as eye blinks and microsleeps) or sleep and activity data. These wearables provide real-time alerts to workers and supervisors when fatigue thresholds are reached, enabling timely interventions before incidents occur. These data can also help employers make informed decisions about shift scheduling and workload distribution and strengthen overall fatigue risk management.

Night Shift

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, accident and injury rates are 18% greater during evening shifts and 30% greater during night shifts when compared to day shifts. Overnight employees are especially vulnerable to fatigue, stress and impaired cognitive function—factors that significantly heighten risk. Fatigue monitoring wearables can provide real-time alerts to workers and supervisors when fatigue thresholds are reached, enabling timely interventions before incidents occur.