Anyone in Denver who works knows just how common it is to be tired at work. It seems like no matter what time you go to bed, wake up or how much coffee you drink, at some point during the day you will be fatigued. There is new research out that indicates tired employees are more apt to make some kind of mistake that will lead to an injury and possibly require temporary disability benefits to cover lost wages. According to some estimates, a lack of sleep can cost up to $60 billion a year because of health care costs, low productivity and industrial accidents.
In order to reduce workplace accidents and create a safer work environment, employers should develop a system of fatigue risk management. In order to determine how dangerous and prevalent fatigue is amongst its work force, an employer will first need to collect data and information on how employees feel during the day. Employers may also want to look at what risks may develop because of tired employees and implement changes to work flows and procedures to limit and eliminate those risks.
According to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 38 percent of employees in the United States will feel fatigued during the work day. This can include a lack of energy, being tired or developing a sense of weariness.
Colorado workers who are injured on-the-job deserve workers’ compensation for the wages they can’t earn while they are recovering. Temporary disability benefits are designed to provide for employees who cannot return to work for a short period of time because of some workplace injury. Applying for such benefits can be tricky, however, so it is important to talk with a workers’ compensation injury to increase the likelihood of receiving those crucial benefits.
Source: Business Insurance, “Fatigue risk management can improve workplace safety,” Roberto Ceniceros, Feb. 13, 2012
