June is National Safety Month, so it’s a great time to revisit workplace safety practices and take steps to make your work environment as safe as possible. Preventing fatigue at work can decrease the likelihood of many work injuries.
Why It Matters
Being over-worked and over-tired can sometimes seem almost normal, but it’s not good for you or anyone around you. Fatigue puts you at risk of making mistakes that could compromise your safety or the safety of those around you. Approximately 13% of work injuries can be attributed to sleep problems.
Getting enough rest is a necessity, but the National Safety Council reports that over 43% of workers are sleep deprived. Employees who work long shifts, irregular shifts, or night shift are most at risk for sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation leads to decreased safety performance, but it also impacts worker productivity, costing employers $1,2000-$3,100 per employee each year. A study found that losing even two hours of sleep from a typical eight-hour sleep schedule had a similar effect on cognitive function as drinking three beers.
How to Prevent Fatigue at Work
Signs of fatigue aren’t always easy to identify, but one of the most important ways to prevent fatigue is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you work night shift, use blackout curtains to keep your sleeping area dark and try to keep to a consistent sleep schedule even on days you’re not working.
If you or your partner struggles with snoring, it might be time to talk to your doctor about getting screened for sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
If you are struggling to manage your workload or if work stress is impacting your ability to sleep, speak to your manager or HR representative about what can be done to improve your work environment.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
