MSF health staff in protective clothing constructing perimeter for Ebola isolation ward.Emergency workers who have to work long hours at disaster sites can learn how to reduce risks associated with fatigue in a new online interim training program from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Deployment to areas affected by weather and earthquakes or other catastrophic events like the Ebola outbreak can take a heavy toll on the health and well-being of emergency responders in healthcare, public safety, utilities, construction, humanitarian aid, and clean-up services.

The 30-minute training program is for workers and their managers, and covers strategies to reduce risks that are linked to working long hours.

The topic includes:

  • Risks from not getting enough sleep
  • Basic information about sleep and fatigue
  • Safe work practices for managers and workers
  • Personal strategies to promote good sleep and alertness

To learn more and take this training, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/longhourstraining/.