Causes and Dangers of Fatigue at the Workplace
Workplace accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons, including fatigue. Employees should understand fatigue’s role in accidents to minimize the dangers. Below are some of the causes and dangers of worker fatigue.
Causes
People get tired for various reasons, but the following are common reasons for fatigue in the workplace.
Irregular Work Schedule
When you have a definite work schedule, your body usually adapts after some time so you can get adequate rest. Such adaptation often is not possible if you have an irregular work schedule. An irregular work schedule is one reason shift workers and on-call workers experience high levels of fatigue.
Long Commute
A short commute usually means that you do not have to leave home extremely early. A short commute also means you often get home early enough to get adequate rest. With a long commute to and from work, you will likely feel like you spend most of your time either working or traveling to and from work.
Inadequate Sleep
Inadequate sleep, irrespective of its cause, also leads to fatigue. Your body usually does not get adequate time to recharge if you do not sleep well.
Common causes of inadequate sleep include:
- Too much caffeine before bedtime
- Ill health, such as from chronic pain and sleep apnea
- Stress due to unmet work targets
- Poor sleep environment, such as noisy environments
There is no standard duration of sleep for everyone. The optimal duration depends on different factors, such as your age.
Environmental Factors
Workplace issues can also lead to fatigue. Your workplace temperature, for example, often determines how much your body spends to maintain your internal temperature. An extremely cold work environment can lead to cold stress, while an extremely hot environment can lead to heat stress. Both conditions fatigue your body.
Strenuous Activities
Lastly, activities that require great effort — either physical or mental — can also lead to exhaustion. Perhaps you work in a warehouse and your employer has not provided adequate equipment for carrying heavy loads. You might have to carry heavy boxes all day long, every day, which inevitably leads to fatigue.
Dangers
Fatigue can cause or worsen an injury. According to research, fatigue has similar effects as intoxication. Below are some of the ways in which fatigue increases the risk of workplace injuries.
Inattentiveness
Fatigue affects your attention span or ability to pay attention at work. Say you are exhausted, and your supervisor gives out new safety guidelines. You might not even comprehend the supervisor’s talk. Fatigue can also interfere with your ability to detect environmental dangers, such as sharp tools or slippery surfaces.
Impaired Judgment
Fatigue can also impair your judgment, and impaired judgment can lead to rash and dangerous decisions. For example, you might find yourself:
- Working without adequate safety gear
- Making shortcuts that can lead to injuries
- Handling sharp or pointed tools carelessly
- Failing to heed warnings from work colleagues
All of the above can lead to workplace injuries. What is worse, you might not even be aware that your judgment is impaired.
Reduced Reaction Time
Lastly, fatigue also slows your reaction time, which limits your ability to avoid accidents. Say you work in a storeroom and boxes start falling all over the place. You might not get out of the way in time if you are exhausted.
Hopefully, you will not get injured at work throughout your career. However, if you have suffered a work injury, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. The Walz Law Office can review your case and help you submit a strong claim. Contact us for a free initial consultation to help you pursue the benefits you deserve.