Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council urges Americans to harness the opportunity to put their health and safety first by getting an extra hour of sleep as daylight saving time ends Nov. 3. An NSC probability-based survey found 70% of Americans are concerned that their sleep habits impact their physical health, and 67% are worried about the effects on their mental wellbeing. Despite these concerns, only 43% say they “frequently” get enough sleep to feel their best the next day.
Increased sleep can improve workplace safety, too. Fatigue is a hidden workplace epidemic. Nearly every working American (97%) has at least one risk factor for fatigue, such as sleep loss or working long hours, and fatigue costs the U.S. economy more than $400 billion annually.
Nov. 3 also marks the start of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Losing just two hours of sleep from a normal eight-hour sleep schedule can have the same effect as drinking three beers.
Tips for getting enough sleep include:
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and screens (TV, smart phones and tablets) before bedtime
- Use blackout curtains and turn down the temperature in your bedroom to create an ideal sleep environment
- Go to bed at the same time each night
To address fatigue in the workplace, employers are encouraged to:
- Assess their organization’s unique risks by using the NSC Fatigue Cost Calculator, which provides custom reports on the benefits and losses of a tired workforce – nsc.org/tiredatwork
- Implement a sleep health program at work using the Fatigue at Work Employer Toolkit, which includes sample policies, implementation guidance, 5-minute safety talks, research and educational materials for employees – nsc.org/fatigueatwork
More information about fatigue is available at nsc.org/fatigue.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.
