Are your workers ‘sleep drunk’?

Research has shown being over-tired at work is akin to being drunk and could be costing your company money.

BY Caitlin Nobes 13 May 2013

More than a million Canadian workers could be so tired it’s comparable to drunkenness, according to a new report.

Research from the UK study has revealed half of workers get between five and seven hours of sleep a night and go to work in a 'semi-conscious' state.

According to Statistics Canada, 13 per cent of women and 17 per cent of men are getting less than 6.5 hours of sleep a night, putting them at risk of “sleep drunkenness”.

“Being ‘sleep drunk’ is a common issue that causes personal and work life issues and a healthy lifestyle is at the heart of solving it,” said Tony Massey, Vielife’s chief medical officer. Most people need to get more than seven hours sleep a night to avoid such ‘sleep risk’, the study says.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says fatigue in the workplace can be increased by dim lighting, high temperatures and high noise. Tasks that last a long time or are repetitive, boring and monotonous can also contribute.

Shift-workers are also more likely to be affected than those who work a consistent, Monday to Friday, 40-hour week.

CCOHS suggests developing on-site accommodations if your workplace is high risk. Preparing meals and providing an area where workers can nap before driving home could reduce the risks for employees.

How you can help keep workers alert in the workplace: