According to the National Safety Council, 69% of employees – many of whom work in in safety-critical industries – are tired at work, increasing the risk of injuries and incidents on the job.

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It can take about one week for the body to adjust the new times for sleeping, eating, and activity. Until they have adjusted, people can have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up at the right time. This can lead to sleep deprivation and reduction in performance, increasing the risk for mistakes including vehicle crashes. Workers can experience somewhat higher risks to both their health and safety after the time changes (Harrison, 2013).

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Using U.S. Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration injury data from 1983-2006, the study found that compared with other days, more injuries happened on the Monday after daylight saving time went into effect and the injuries were more severe. The daylight saving time (DST) switch resulted in U.S. workers getting 40 minutes less sleep, a 5.7 percent increase in workplace injuries and nearly 68 percent more workdays lost to injuries.

Fatigue Resources

Americans receive little education on the importance of sleep, sleep disorders and the consequences of fatigue, but industry leaders recently have been drawing attention to this issue. Employers, too, are in an ideal position to educate employees on how to avoid fatigue-related safety incidents. Share these National Safety Council infographics, fact sheets, posters and other resources.

Employer Suggestions to Help Workers Adjust to Time Change

Employers can relay these points to help their workers reduce risks before the time changes in the Fall and Spring:

• Remind workers that several days after the time changes are associated with somewhat higher health and safety risks due to disturbances to circadian rhythms and sleep.
• It can take one week for the body to adjust sleep times and circadian rhythms to the time change so consider reducing demanding physical and mental tasks as much as possible that week to allow oneself time to adjust.
• Remind workers to be especially vigilant while driving, at work, and at home to protect themselves since others around them may be sleepier and at risk for making an error that can cause a vehicle crash or other accident.

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Employee Suggestions to Adjust to Time Change

Workers can improve their adaptation to the time change by using these suggestions (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2013). Circadian rhythms and sleep are strongly influenced by several factors including timing of exposure to light and darkness, times of eating and exercise, and time of work. One way to help the body adjust is to gradually change the times for sleep, eating, and activity.

• For the Spring time change, starting about three days before, one can gradually move up the timing of wakening and bedtime, meals, exercise, and exposure to light earlier by 15 – 20 minutes each day until these are in line with the new time. About one hour before bedtime, keep the lights dim and avoid electronic lit screens on computers, tablets, etc. to help the body move earlier the time it is ready to wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night.
• For the Fall time change, starting about three days before, one can gradually move the timing of wakening and bedtime, meals, exercise, and exposure to light later by 15 – 20 minutes each day until these are in line with the new time. About 1 hour after awakening in the morning, you can keep the lights dim and avoid electronic lit screens on computers, tablets, and so forth can help the body move to a later time that it is ready to wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night.
• Being sleep deprived before the time change will increase the health and safety risks so make it a priority to get enough sleep and be well rested several days before the time change.
• Other hazards for workers related to the time change in the Fall include a sudden change in the driving conditions in the late afternoon rush hour– from driving home from work during daylight hours to driving home in darkness. People may not have changed their driving habits to nighttime driving and might be at somewhat higher risk for a vehicle crash.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Daylight Saving: Suggestions to help workers adapt to the time change
• Adan A, Archer SN, Hidalgo MP, Di ML, Natale V, Randler C [2012]. Circadian typology: a comprehensive review. Chronobiol Intl 29: 1153-1175.
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine [2013]. Minimizing the effect of daylight saving time by adjusting your sleep schedule. http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=3732
• Harrison Y [2013]. The impact of daylight saving time on sleep and related behaviors. Sleep Med Rev. 17(4):285-92.
• Kirchberger I, Wolf K, Heier M, Kuch B, von Scheidt W, Peters A, Meisinger C [2015]. Are daylight saving time transitions associated with changes in myocardial infarction incidence? Results from the German MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry. BMC Public Health. 14;15(1):778.

Fatigue affects everyone at some time. Fatigue in the workplace decreases performance and increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and loss of life. Fatigue can be the result of insufficient sleep, prolonged physical or mental activity, and/or disruption of sleep because of irregular shift work.

Fatigued workers experience confusion, delayed reactions, and even fall asleep during their shifts. However, by taking some easy steps towards managing fatigue in the workplace – employers can save millions and even improve the quality of life for all employees.

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What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a state of feeling very tired, exhausted, weary, or sleepy. Fatigue results from a lack of sleep and can be heightened from prolonged mental activity or long periods of stress or anxiety. Boring or repetitive tasks can also intensify feelings of fatigue.

Studies indicate that the risk of making mistakes at work increases significantly if workers sleep for less than the average (7.5–8.5 hours) or are awake for more than 17 consecutive hours. The effects of fatigue can reduce a worker’s:

• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to do complex planning
• Communication skills
• Productivity and performance
• Attention
• Ability to handle stress
• Reaction time
• Ability to recall details
• Ability to respond to changes in surroundings or information provided

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Causes of fatigue

Fatigue is caused primarily by long hours of being awake. Other causes include extended shifts, shift rotations (days and nights), and irregular or disrupted sleep. Workplace factors, such as the following, can also increase feelings of fatigue:

• High temperatures
• High noise levels
• Dim lighting or poor visibility
• Work tasks that are long, repetitive, paced, difficult, boring, or monotonous

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• Training provides details on OSHA, workplace hazards, workers’ legal rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint. Required by some states and companies in order to start employment.
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OSHA fatigue policy

While there is no specific OSHA policy on extended or unusual shifts, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that, “Any work over 40 hours in a 168 hour period is counted as overtime.” The FLSA applies to employees who work in interstate commerce, hospitals, schools, day workers, chauffeurs, cooks, housekeepers, and full-time babysitters.

Managing Fatigue

The National Safety Council’s paper “Managing Fatigue: Developing an Effective Fatigue Risk Management System” emphasizes that worker fatigue can have a negative impact on the workplace and can increase the risk of accidents and injuries at work.

According to the NSC, fatigued worker productivity costs employers $1,200 to $3,100 per employee annually. The risks for those who drive as part of their work are significant too – drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash if they are fatigued. Chronic sleep-deprivation can also lead to depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses.

Tips for getting a better sleep

People need at least 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep a day. Studies have found that most night-shift workers get less sleep per week than those who work day shifts. The quality of sleep during the day is not the same as during the night.

Here are some guidelines for improving quality of sleep:

• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
• Turn out the light immediately when going to bed.
• Don’t read or watch television in bed.
• Make your room as dark and quiet as possible.
• Some people sleep better in a cool room.
• Establish regular eating times.
• Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, especially before bedtime.
• Exercise regularly.

Additional Resources

• United States Department of Labor: Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — the FAA has produced a Fatigue Management Toolbox.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) — Crew Endurance Management Systems
• National Response Team — Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue During Disaster Operations
• American Petroleum Institute (API) — Fatigue Risk Management System
• International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) — Managing Fatigue in the Oil and Gas Industry
• American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) — Fatigue Risk Management in the Workplace