Tiredness Can Kill

Tiredness is one of the most common health complaints in modern society and has become a critical occupational and safety hazard. As demands and expectations of society increase, so do the risks of injury and accidents.

Sleep deprivation affects many who work irregular hours, long shifts and monotonous jobs. Tiredness can adversely affect job performance, productivity and result in costly accidents which affect many lives and resources as ruled by investigators in the 1979 nuclear meltdown – The Three Mile accident.

How Sleep Affects Your Safety

Sleep is a basic survival for humans much the same as food and water; loosing as little as a few hours sleep harmfully affects performance, alertness and ability to react accordingly to emergencies.

Symptoms associated with lack of sleep include:

• Decreased judgement
• Lower reaction times
• Decreased decision making and memory processes
• Lack of concentration
• Deteriorated mood and fixation

Several studies have shown shift workers dozing off without memory of the occurrence and drivers causing as many accidents and those who drive impaired.

Decrease Fatigue and Work Related Injuries

Awareness of how sleep affects your ability to perform and avoid disastrous consequences should not be taken lightly. Your bed, nature of work and working environment could be adding to your sleep debt. Decrease fatigue and work related injuries by

• Purchasing the right mattress, creating an ideal sleep zone and getting into the habit of getting adequate sleep
• Identifying work environmental triggers such as low lighting, congested visibility, high temperatures, noise and high comfort
• Alternating repetitive tasks or tasks that require long periods of thinking and monotony
• Alternating shifts that follow a more natural schedule according to your circadian rhythm

These factors eliminated or controlled can help you isolate problem areas and address ways of improving tiredness at work.

How to Fight Fatigue

Today’s society demands results and performance, the demands of working nights, early mornings and shift work enhance health problems and increases chances of developing sleep related problems. You may not able to change your profession, but you can certainly make changes that will help fight fatigue and promote good health.

1. Adopt a healthy diet enriched with complex carbohydrates, essential fats and plenty vegetables and fruits
2. Reduce fatigue through stress control measures such as meditation, correct posture and breathing
3. Embrace a positive attitude to manage stress and negative situations from affecting you
4. Keep a regular exercise routine that improves cardiovascular strength, muscle and flexibility
5. Identify and address any sleep disorders and get help
6. Ensure you sleep environment is dark, comfortable and your mattress is suited to your specific needs so you can get adequate sleep time

Awareness of sleep and the effects it has on the safety of yourself and others can help improve your work environment, sleep habits and long term safety. Sleep impairment can critically damage job performance and depending on your profession, can result in disastrous consequences.

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