Safety Matters

Remember to set your clocks back one hour this weekend at midnight on Sunday, November 4.

We wondered what effect this change might have on workplace injuries as we know that the spring time change definitely impacts the number of injuries we see in the workplace.

A research paper done by the University of Michigan found the following:

Changing to Daylight Saving Time Cuts Into Sleep and Increases Workplace Injuries - Christopher M. Barnes and David T. Wagner
“In summary, we found that time phase changes that are intended to better align waking activity with daylight periods have negative side effects on organizations. Following phase advances, employees slept 40 min less, had 5.7% more workplace injuries, and lost 67.6% more work days because of injuries than on non- phase change days. Phase delays did not have any significant effects on sleep, injury frequency, or injury severity”

So it begs the question: Does the same negative impact happen after the fall time change?

Apparently not.

A look at our registered claims in the month prior to the time change and the month after the time change in the fall for 2010 and 2011 shows we actually see fewer injuries in the month after the fall time change. Perhaps more sleep = less workplace injuries?

 

Target Year	Time Change	Registered Claims
2010	Month Before	2,536
2010	Month After	2,462
2011	Month Before	2,359
2011	Month After	2,329

 Here are some safety tips you can do every six months when you reset your clocks:

• Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Replace any smoke alarms older than ten years. Replace any CO alarms older than five years.
• Prepare or refresh a disaster supply kit for your house (water, food, flashlights, batteries, blankets).
• Make a "winter car-emergency kit" now and put your vehicle.
• Check home and outbuilding storage areas for hazardous materials. Discard (properly, please) any which are outdated, no longer used, or in poor condition. Move any which are within reach of kids or pets.
• Check and discard expired medications - those dates really DO have meaning - some very common over-the-counter medications can cause serious problems due to change through aging.

Work safe. For life!