The National Safety Council (NSC) is urging employers to address fatigue in the workplace.
Nearly every working American (97%) has at least one risk factor for fatigue, such as sleep loss or working long hours, and fatigue costs the U.S. economy more than $400 billion annually, according to the organization.
Just as Daylight Savings time ends, the results also indicate that only 43% of Americans believe they "frequently" get enough sleep. A probability-based survey found 70% of Americans are concerned that their sleep habits impact their physical health, and 67% are worried about the effects on their mental wellbeing.
November 3 also marks the start of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Losing just two hours of sleep from a normal eight-hour sleep schedule can have the same effect as drinking three beers.
Tips for getting enough sleep include:
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and screens (TV, smart phones and tablets) before bedtime
- Use blackout curtains and turn down the temperature in your bedroom to create an ideal sleep environment
- Go to bed at the same time each night
To address fatigue in the workplace, the NSC encourages employers to assess their organization’s unique risks by using the NSC Fatigue Cost Calculator, which provides custom reports on the benefits and losses of a tired workforce.
In addition, employers should implement a sleep health program at work using the Fatigue at Work Employer Toolkit, which includes sample policies, implementation guidance, 5-minute safety talks, research and educational materials for employees.