Every spring we change our clocks ahead one hour during daylight savings time. The time change makes many people feel extra sleepy the next couple of days and a new study reports that the time change may actually impact our safety at work.
A study done by the University of Michigan found that many people feel tired and drowsy the week after daylight savings time. The study found that workers sleep 40 minutes less the night before the first Monday after the time change and the loss of sleep increased the risk of workplace injuries.
The researchers looked at statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and found that on the Monday following the time change, more workplace injuries occurred for workers in more hazardous jobs. In addition, the workplace injuries were usually more severe compared to other days.
The researchers said that daylight savings time makes people adjust their sleep schedules and workers are not able to be as attentive or alert while they work, resulting in more workplace accidents and injuries occurring the week after the time change in the spring.
While the research mainly focused on workers in more hazardous jobs, the study also found that workers in office settings were also impacted by the time change. Researchers said that these workers were also less attentive and were more likely to make errors at work.
Employers should take note of this study and educate their workers on the additional safety risks they may face during daylight savings time in the spring. Employers and companies can be held responsible for not providing a safe working environment for their employees and that includes not providing proper education and training to prevent injuries and accidents from happening.
Source: Zanesville Times Recorder, "Study shows time change affects worker safety," Jim Evans, March 16, 2013
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