Lack of sleep is the answer and 45% of Aussies are reporting for work…sleep deprived.  

Sleep deprivation can be debilitating. How do you feel – when you pull an all-nighter to get that final submission completed, a new baby joins the family, or you are half way through your swing? 

For those getting 4-5 hours sleep per night it equates to 0.01% alcohol in your system. Going 17 hours without sleep equates to 0.05% alcohol in your system. Clearly a risk to any workplace. 

Studies have also shown that if you regularly sleep for less than six hours per night, you are four times more likely to develop a cold when compared to those who sleep for seven hours or more. 

In addition, if your sleep efficiency – the percentage of time you spend in bed asleep, is less than 90% – you are nearly six times more likely to develop a cold. So, the risk of infection is high. 

The risks associated with sleep deprivation are directly linked to poor cognitive function. You do not think clearly, make poor decisions and judgements causing more errors. The costs to businesses are ever increasing. 

Daylight savings impact

This one-hour variation is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart disease, traffic accidents and deprivation of sleep for teenagers. Introducing daylight savings is directly linked to 150,000 negative health events in the USA and 880,000 globally. The MAYO Clinic reports a 19% increase in human errors with the one-hour variation.  

Sleep is something we cannot do without. There is a hormone that builds in the brain when lacking sleep and the only solution to reduce this hormone is to sleep. So, it must be attended to daily. 

The data links between sleep and safety are compelling. 

The data we have from the mining and mining services industries indicate that a high percentage of employees (85-90%) report they are receiving good quality sleep. However, this drops to 55% reporting they get adequate sleep. This means that the workforce is sleep deprived. However, it can improve.  

Introducing an integrated education and support program at work, these sleep patterns improved by 40% over two years.  

It is worth noting – quality of sleep has been shown to improve more rapidly than the quantity of sleep. 

Some high-risk individuals are referred for sleep studies. This can mean the introduction and use of a Constant Pulmonary Airways Pressure (CPAP) Machine. The CPAP machine allows for better quality and quantity of sleep. The feedback from individuals using the CPAP is they could not believe the difference in how they felt, worked, and managed their mood better. Energy levels started to return to normal. Cognition improved. Using a CPAP also highlighted how some individuals had “normalised” their struggle through their working day when sleep deprived. They were used to working at a constant sub optimal level. Another hidden cost to your business. 

We are good at identifying and managing physical risks within workplaces. However, it is hard to see and find those in the workplace who are sleep deprived.  

One hopes that your work colleague operating the machine and working next to you is well rested and not sleep deprived. Tragically, we are only reminded of this not being the case post-accident or the result of an error of judgement. 

When you are ready to understand more about how the sleep profiles of your employees impact your business and how best to mitigate these risks then get in touch at admin@optimumhms.com.au.