Many people simply accept being tired as a part of working a job that requires long or irregular hours. When a person must work multiple jobs to provide for their family and make end’s meet, chronic exhaustion may seem unavoidable. This should never be the case. When a person is forced to do their job when they can barely even stay awake, it not only makes them more prone to being injured in the workplace, but it can put their co-workers and customers at risk, too. The hazards of fatigue are increased further when the worker’s job includes the use of heavy machinery or tools.

When a person is tired, even the most simple activities can become difficult. A tired body is more likely to fall victim to injuries such as sprains, strains, or muscle pulls. Exhaustion makes it difficult to concentrate on a task, which is extremely important in many jobs, particularly those where teams of people rely on each other for safety. If a tired individual is guiding a large truck into a loading bay and begins to doze off, the results can be disastrous. Studies have repeatedly shown the dangers of driving a car while tired, but if a worker’s job involves the use of a motor vehicle, they may feel that they have no choice but to get behind the wheel. In any case, it is difficult to deny that being tired makes it more likely that a person will be involved in a harmful accident at work. Even if an accident in the workplace is avoided, if a person is exhausted from being overworked, it may cause them to be injured in an accident away from work.

While employers cannot control how their workers spend there off-hours, or directly regulate their sleep schedule, they do hold a responsibility for making the work environment as safe as possible. This means that workers should not be scheduled for shifts that would cause them to be forced to work on too little sleep. Employees should not be expected to work an unreasonable number of hours a week, particularly if their job involves the use of potentially dangerous machinery, or if the safety of other people depends on their alertness. If a worker appears to be too tired to perform their job in a safe manner, their boss should find someone to fill in and discuss the situation with the employee. If someone is hurt due to an overworked and tired employee, the company may be found liable for the injuries suffered.

For more information about sleep deprivation and workers’ compensation, visit the website of Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C.