A Full-Service Law Firm, Putting Clients First Since 1953

Insomnia as a cause of workplace accidents

On Behalf of | Oct 24, 2012 | Firm News

People can get injured on the job for many different reasons. Sometimes the cause is defective products. Another common cause, however, is careless conduct by co-workers. And to a much greater degree than has previously been realized, much of that carelessness has to do with lack of restful sleep – resulting in people who come to work tired and accident-prone.

Even if your own fatigue contributed to the cause of your injury, you may still be eligible for Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. It is important for everyone to know more about just how prevalent this phenomenon is, of people who put others’ safety at risk on the job due to struggles with insomnia away from the workplace.

A new research study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry examines the link between insomnia and errors and accidents at work. The study put the number of such errors at accidents as 274,000 a year. The total cost to the U.S. economy is an astounding $31.1 billion.

The research methodology for the study involved a survey of more than 10,000 people. The results showed that 1 in 5 of the participants reported struggles with insomnia that lasted at least a year.

Overall, the researchers found that over 7 percent of workplace errors are linked with insomnia. Other factors may be involved as well, but there is no question that the study shows a link between insomnia and workplace errors. And many of those errors lead to injuries.

Previous estimates have tried to identify the cost to the U.S. economy in lost productivity caused by insomnia. This study, however, takes that a step further and shows how lack of sleep elevates the risk of accidents and injuries.

Source: “Insomnia Costs $31.1 Billion In Workplace Errors And Accidents Each Year: Study,” Huffington Post, 10-8-12

Archives