Many construction crews and engineers work on-call or extend their shifts longer than eight hours. While these workers are commendable for their commitment, irregular and extensive schedules are not sustainable.
No matter what hustle culture might try to teach us, people are not machines. They get tired when overworked, and fatigue can create a safety hazard. This is especially true in industrial settings, where the presence of heavy machinery and other potential workplace hazards make alertness more critical for employees.
Sleeping on the job was once considered taboo, but today, more companies are encouraging employees to take a mid-shift snooze. And it’s a wise practice: 29 percent of workers report falling asleep or becoming very sleepy at work, and a lack of sleep costs the United States $63 billion each year in lost productivity.
Lack of sleep has negative consequences on workplace performance and productivity. Research shows that people who do not get enough sleep are less attentive on the job and tend to make more mistakes. What’s more, restless nights lead to irritation and more anxiety.
The people who take care of you while you’re in the hospital aren’t getting enough sleep - which could have serious implications for patient safety, according to a study published in Sleep.
Sleep deprivation and disorders are believed to contribute significantly to the nearly 100,000 deaths attributable to medical errors that occur in U.S. hospitals each year.
Driving while fatigued can be a common occurrence for long-haul truck drivers, and studies have shown it can be as problematic as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Yet almost a third of people in a AAA survey said at least once in the prior month they had driven while so tired that they could barely keep their eyes open.
Over the past few months, I, along with some fellow Cority employees, had the opportunity to participate in a pilot with Fatigue Science to measure our sleep and fatigue levels. Fatigue Science combines wearable tech with biomathematical science from the U.S. Army Research Lab to offer unprecedented insight into sleep and fatigue.
Last month in Seattle the National Safety Council's Campbell Institute held a conference where one of the major topics was, "Fatigue: Managing the Hidden Risk." My question: What's so "hidden" about fatigue? Everyone you talk to in today's 24/7 wired world is fatigued, tired, beat. Just ask them.
An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some turn to melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is a hormone known to promote sleep, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered how melatonin suppresses neurons in the brain that keeps you awake and alert.
If you’ve had a bad day at work thanks to rude colleagues, doing something fun and relaxing after you finish your workday could net you a better night’s sleep.
That was the key finding of research that appears in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology®, published by the American Psychological Association.
