“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” As the song goes, the holidays can be a wonderful time of the year for family gatherings and celebrations. At the same time, workers often feel stressed from the need to complete work related to the holidays. All too often, sleep is the first thing that is compromised, and for many occupations, sleep deprivation can be a serious hazard with severe complications. For example:
- Drivers in a mad rush to get places in time for the holidays are at a much greater risk of accidents.
- Workers who operate heavy equipment are more prone to accidents.
- Fatigued employees are more likely to cause injury to others or hurt themselves.
- Delivery workers who lift heavier packages during the holidays hurt their back and sometimes experience spinal injuries.
Sleep deprivation and resulting fatigue can ruin the holidays when it is not kept in check. There are things we can all do to avoid some of these circumstances. First, make sleep a high priority. Don’t take on work that you can’t handle when you are especially stressed. Further, find a way to manage your workload and that of your employees in a way that can mitigates the chances for work-related accidents. If you notice that a fellow employee is not getting enough sleep and is making mistakes, call it to the attention of a supervisor. You may be uncomfortable with interfering, but you could be saving a life or, at the very least, a serious accident.
Do what you can to stay alert. If you need to take a rest, ask someone to cover for you until you feel rested and do the same for others. Is it really worth getting in just one more hour if you are risking harm to yourself and others? While you might make extra money by working overtime, the ramifications of a serious accident can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Take care of yourself this holiday season by eating healthfully and staying hydrated. Find a way to relieve your stress, whether it’s by working out or participating in an activity you enjoy. Above all, don’t take on work that is not possible to accomplish in a reasonable time period.
This holiday season strive to achieve some balance between your work and enjoying time with your family and friends. Try to find some time to wrap up both personal and professional tasks so that you can start with a fresh slate in 2016. By staying alert amidst the holiday bustle, we can all be safer and prevent accidents on the road, at work and in the home.
The attorney at Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg wish you an enjoyable holiday season!
If you, a friend or a family member are involved in a work-related accident or suffer from an occupational disease — or even if you think that your physical or psychological ailment is work-related — speak to a worker's compensation attorney at Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg Co., L.P.A. Our attorneys have the experience you need to get the results you deserve and are entitled to by law. Call us toll-free at 1.855.GOT.HURT (1.855.468.4878) or contact us by filling out our No-Risk Consultation Form.
