Occupational Risks 

While many people cut back on sleep to keep pace with the demands in their lives, that choice could lead to poor work performances and tragic and costly job-related accidents. That is why it is imperative for employers to stress to their employees the importance of getting a sufficient amount of rest each day.

Research shows that sleep loss as well as poor-quality sleep results in more mistakes in the workplace, decreased productivity and mishaps that cost both lives and resources.

For example, it was ruled that sleep deprivation was a significant factor in the 1979 nuclear accident at Three Mile Island and the 1986 nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl.

Investigations of the grounding of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker and the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger concluded that sleep deprivation played a critical role in those accidents. In both cases, in-charge personnel were working under extreme sleep deprivation. Besides the loss of lives, the disasters resulted ecological, environmental and economic damage.

Furthermore, there is growing recognition of the link between lack of sleep and mistakes by medical personnel in our hospitals. According to the Institutes of Medicine, more than 1 million injuries and between 50,000 and 100,000 deaths occur each year because of preventable medical errors.

According to a 2004 study led by Dr. Charles Czeisler of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, hospitals could reduce the number of medical errors by as much as 36 percent by limiting doctors’ work shifts to 16 hours and decreasing work schedules to no more than 80 hours per week.

As early as the 1930s, there was evidence that sleep loss negatively impacted the speed and accuracy of cognitive performance needed to efficiently carry out work-related responsibilities. If your employees are not well-rested, they could:

• Cause a costly and tragic workplace accident.
• Lose concentration while trying to complete an important and lengthy project.
• Fall asleep or fail to pay attention during a staff meeting.
• Become involved in a traffic mishap while operating a company motor vehicle.
• Complain that physical problems such as muscle aches are limiting job performance.
• Experience moodiness that could lead to the alienation of customers or clients.

For more information, call Epoch Sleep Centers at 401.541.9188. 

Absenteeism

In addition to impairing job performance, irregular sleeping habits and a lack of sleep can lead to absenteeism. Employers don’t want to have to deal with the staffing problems and extra costs associated with employees calling in sick.

The human body needs food and sleep. Lack of regular sleep and poor eating habits cause a breakdown of the body’s natural defenses, which make people more susceptible to colds and other maladies. That can increase absenteeism at your company. Also, sleeplessness is frequently related to stress, which is another contributor to minor and major illnesses.  

If you want to reduce absenteeism in your company, Epoch Sleep Centers can help by ensuring your employees are educated about the importance of getting enough high quality sleep. Make us part of your wellness or employee assistance program. Call us at 401.541.9188.