On Sunday, March 14th, we will “spring forward” an hour ahead for Daylight Savings Time, a move to welcome the spring season with extended daylight hours. But did you know that the occasion marks an increased risk for employee safety in the workplace? By simply being aware of the change incurred during Daylight Savings Time, you can take steps to decrease personal risk for both yourself and others.
In a study published in the November, 2009 edition of Journal of Applied Psychology, researchers Christopher Barnes, Ph.D and David Wagner, Ph.D of Michigan State University found that 3.6 more injuries, an increase of 68 percent in lost workdays, occurred on Mondays following the time switch following daylight savings time compared to other days. The sudden increase in work injuries can be attributed to sleep loss – sleeping an average of 40 minutes less on the Sunday night they switched time. This study reports statistics within the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from 1983 to 2006, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey. Click here to read the study.
Helpful Tips to Reduce the Risk of Injury After Daylight Savings:
Losing sleep as a result of time change can put you and your employees at risk for injury, however mentally preparing yourself and taking proper precautions for losing an hour of sleep can help prevent injuries from happening. Consider these helpful tips to be prepared for Daylight Savings Time:
- Adjust your sleep schedule a few days prior to Sunday so “springing forward” will not feel so sudden to your body schedule
- Try to go to sleep at least 20 minutes early each night
- Modify your eating schedule earlier each night prior to Daylight Savings Time
- Be careful when driving or operating machinery while you are adjusting to the new time change
- Be alert of others (especially drivers) the days following time change
- Avoid activities that require focused concentration the day after the time change
- Avoid heavy labor activities on the day after the time change
- Avoid napping, particularly before bedtime
- As always, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water and be physically active both prior-to and after Daylight Savings Time
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[...] Injury Increase Related to Daylight Savings Time [...]
[...] But did you know that the event has an increased risk of workplace injury the first Monday after we change our clocks? Researchers have determined we lose an average of 40 minutes of sleep due to the time switch, which impact a number of our everyday work behaviors.To read more about the effects of Daylight Savings Time, click here. [...]