Brooklyn workers often face exhausting workloads. Unfortunately, tiredness on the job can be a serious risk factor for injuries, accidents and other safety problems. According to one study by the National Safety Council, 69 percent of employees are tired at work, including many people whose jobs involve safety-intensive tasks and procedures. In particular, construction, transportation, manufacturing and utility workers experience frequent high levels of fatigue at work, but often do not recognize that it could lead to safety problems.
All four industries involve frequent shift work, a setup known to contribute to fatigue. While 90 percent of employers surveyed in the study said that fatigue can affect people’s safety and well-being at work, only 72 percent of employees said that their tiredness was a safety issue. However, tired workers can lead to serious workplace accidents and injuries, especially in industries that are already known for significant safety concerns. Experts urged employers to take action to help prevent workplace fatigue, including scheduling people to minimize the risk of a serious incident.
Workers who are fatigued are more likely to make mistakes. While this may be relatively minor for an office worker writing up a report, it can be catastrophic for large truck drivers or construction workers operating near gas lines. Despite the severe accidents that can be caused by fatigued drivers, 97 percent of transportation workers said that they were tired on the job. In addition, construction workers unanimously had at least a single fatigue risk factor, and nearly half worked during high-risk hours late at night or early in the morning.
Workplace fatigue can have serious consequences. Construction site accidents can be caused by tired, overworked employees dealing with dangerous, heavy equipment. People who have been injured on the job can seek out a workers’ compensation lawyer to pursue compensation for their damages, especially when safety violations or defective equipment are involved.