Sleeping On The Job? The Risk To Operations And Workplace Safety

In September 2025, a San Francisco Muni train operator appeared to fall asleep while navigating a curve at over 50mph during the morning rush hour, causing passengers to be severely jolted. An investigation by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) confirmed no mechanical faults; operator fatigue was identified as the sole cause. This incident highlights how even trained employees in safety-critical roles can pose significant risks when fatigue is not managed.

Fatigue is a pervasive workplace hazard, as shown by incidents such as the 2021 MBTA Green Line collision, where an operator reportedly “blacked out”, and the 2022 GB Railfreight accident, in which the driver likely lost awareness due to fatigue. Such events demonstrate how quickly diminished alertness can escalate into serious operational failures. Fatigue slows reaction time, impairs decision-making and reduces cognitive performance across high-risk sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, logistics and rail operations. With OSHA estimating that fatigue-related incidents cost US firms more than $136 billion each year, investing in proactive management is no longer optional.

Technological solutions are increasingly used to help quantify and manage fatigue risks. Wearable devices such as Fatigue Science’s ReadiWatch can provide standardized fatigue scores and alerts derived from sleep data, offering a consistent measure of worker readiness. SmartCap’s LifeBand enables real-time fatigue warnings during tasks and aggregates alertness data for trend analysis. These data help identify recurring fatigue patterns, high-risk shifts and operators who may require additional intervention.

Furthermore, AI-powered video analytics complement wearables by monitoring operator fatigue and distraction in real time. For example, Stroma’s WorkSafe can track head position, eye-blink rate and facial cues, triggering alerts when attention levels fall below customizable thresholds. Designed for tasks ranging from machine operation to vehicle and equipment use, these systems provide continuous, non-intrusive oversight within their sensing range and can help detect early signs of fatigue or declining focus.

The integration of wearables, analytics platforms and operational monitoring systems enables organizations to characterize fatigue risk more precisely, identify high-risk periods and implement targeted interventions. Beyond compliance, these solutions demonstrate a cultural commitment to worker wellbeing. The San Francisco incident is a stark reminder: investing in fatigue detection technology is essential, and organizations should adopt it proactively before incidents occur.

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