Problems with concentration, faster loss of strength, lower mobility, and even loss of consciousness are just some of the effects of fatigue and lack of sleep felt during work. Nowadays, man seems to act faster than ever, imposing far too many responsibilities on himself every day. Although a lot is said about the balance of work and private life, not everyone can afford to sleep at least 8 hours a day and thus fully regenerate the body. However, the effects of sleep deprivation can be really noticeable at work and even dangerous after some time.

As a result of insomnia, excessive fatigue and general worsening of well-being caused by lack of sleep, the productivity of employees can decrease by up to several dozen percent and, interestingly, this does not apply only to white-collar workers. Those who perform heavy physical work on a daily basis must be in full shape practically throughout their stay at work, because any mistake can cost them their health and increase the risk of endangering other employees. What’s more, an organism that is regularly deprived of the necessary hours of sleep is weakened, showing lower physical fitness, worse reflexes and a general lack of verve, which directly translates into the effectiveness of the work performed.

The problem of lack of sleep and general exhaustion at work is very noticeable in the context of occupational health and safety in the plant. Workers who do not sleep enough hours a day may be more susceptible to injury and accidents because their concentration and alertness are significantly lower than in the case of a fully functional organism. It is worth noting that after a sleepless night, we more often feel muscle pain, headaches, and even weakness that can lead to fainting. Each of these symptoms is dangerous in the work environment, especially when it is necessary to lift heavy objects, move between different machines, use sharp and dangerous tools, drive machines or work at heights.

Fatigue and lack of sleep can turn into a clear feeling of irritability and distraction, which significantly affect the quality of work performed, even after one sleepless night. Among people who are sleep deprived, tired and irritable, various types of minor accidents at work caused by a temporary loss of attention or distraction after a conversation with a supervisor or co-workers are much more common. Cases of negligence in the context of occupational health and safety and the use of appropriate protective clothing are also more common here. Even companies that have a robust health and safety management system in place, staff training and all workplaces prepared to meet all health and safety requirements may experience compliance issues if employees are not 100% fit while on the job.

Interestingly, many employees, especially in heavy industry, do not take breaks from work to help with lack of sleep. Leaving the workplace also throws you out of rhythm, and a moment of rest in a chair can quickly turn into a nap, after which you can feel even more tired and irritable. So while closing your eyes for a few minutes break may seem like a tempting idea, it is much better to eat and ventilate enough to survive until the end of the working day, and after returning to sleep well.

The last, but no less serious problem that can cause the appearance of sleepy employees at work is their more frequent use of sick leave, both due to minor injuries and accidents that may have happened at work due to distraction and loss of strength, as well as general weakness immunity and body condition. Sleep-deprived workers are more susceptible to illness, injury and mental health problems and may need time off more often than others, which will obviously have a significant impact on the operation of the entire plant. It is difficult, especially when they will be temporarily replaced by employees who are not familiar with a specific position and therefore more exposed to accidents at work.

Lack of sleep and constant fatigue are phenomena that affect almost every working person. However, it is worth realizing how important sleep is in the context of the safety of yourself and others at work and make the effort to sleep at least 7 hours each night. Coffee is not the best solution for fatigue, and often makes it worse by upsetting the nervous system and causing even more inattention during work.

Source:https://www.bhp-gabi.pl/a102,skutki-przemeczenia-i-braku-snu-co-moze-sie-wydarzy-w-pracy.html

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.