Rota red flags: a 10-minute fatigue check
Twelve questions to run against your current rota. Each one points to a known source of fatigue risk, with a short note on why it matters and what to do next.
Type Tool
Time needed 10 minutes
Format PDF · 4 pages
Best for Site and shift managers
Preview — checklist pages, video player or tool embed
What's inside
01
Shift length and sequence Runs of nights, long shifts, and how many days people work before a rest.
02
Recovery between shifts Quick returns, backward rotation and the first day after a changeover.
03
Cover and overtime Who picks up the extra shifts, and how often it's the same people.
04
High-risk tasks at low points Where checks, driving and handovers fall against the 02:00–06:00 window.
How to use it
Ten minutes, three steps
00:00
Pick one rota
Use a real four-week pattern from one site or crew, not the template.
00:02
Work through the questions
Answer honestly. Mark anything you're unsure of; that's often where the risk sits.
00:10
Read your flags
Three or more is a pattern worth looking at with the people who work it.
Why we made this
"Most rotas I review are compliant. Very few have been checked for how tired people will actually be. This is the first ten minutes of that check."
Georgia Hodkinson GMBPsS