Page 36 - OHS, JulyAugust 2023

FP AP LE L: FP OR O O T T E P C R T OI OT EN C T I O N When all is aligned, not excessively stretched, and free of pain, the body expends less energy and is therefore less tired. Of course, this leads to performance impairment as tired workers are 6 percent less productive. And it’s dangerous as 16 percent reported at least one safety incident due to fatigue and 13 percent of workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue. Lost Cost Fatigue in the workplace costs U.S. companies $136 billion each year in health-related lost productivity2. Eighty-four percent or $114.24 billion was due to presenteeism — reduced performance level while at work. So while the cost of absenteeism, depression and anxiety from fatigue is significant, the bulk of the cost is from cognitive impairment (remember that 97 percent you just read). Fatigued workers lose an average 2.3 hours of productive time a week more than non-fatigued workers. In fact, one single em- ployee experiencing daily fatigue can cost an employer $3,500 a year in lost productivity, absenteeism, and increased healthcare costs1. For a company that employs 1,000 workers, that adds up to $3.5 million for every year that it is not managed or reduced. Why So Tired? Studies and surveys report a few factors that lead to fatigue. The most recent NSC report1 looked at nine risk factors that contrib- ute, such as working night shifts, long shifts, overtime and men- tally demanding jobs. While optimizing shift scheduling to allow for sufficient time off between shift changes can help, companies are not in control of what their workers do off the clock to make sure they get needed sleep. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep a day for optimal performance. And yet, 43 percent of all workers and 59 percent of night shift workers get less than seven hours. Night shift em- ployees find it hard to sleep during their time off as working non- daylight hours goes against their natural body clock. The rise in sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia also prevents workers getting enough proper rest. In non-work hours, many choose to fulfill their time with family and recreational activities over getting enough sleep. There are only so many hours in a day. Employer vs. Employee While it’s proven that fatigue is a legitimate safety issue, there does seem to be a gap between how employers and their employ- ees view its severity and impact. 93 percent of employers believe fatigue is a critical issue while only 72 percent of employees do3. These numbers show that workers are not always good judges of how tired they are, not understanding the signs of fatigue or no- ticing their delay or loss of focus. ThThroughout the day, the onset of fatigue can be gradual and less noticeable. And aftfter a long day, workers expect to be more tired than when they started, believing its normal and nothing that impairs their abilities. Take Control Since employers see a greater risk of fatigue, management needs to be the guiding force to close that gap — for the health of employees as well as the company’s bottom line. Assessing and identifying factors that cause fatigue and hanging educational breakroom posters (that are often overlooked) is a start, but not enough. Implementing policies, practices and programs will go a long way in changing your workplace culture around fatigue. One program example would be to subsidize wearing foot and body wellness products such as orthotics, insoles and compres- sion garments to help prevent injury and fatigue on the job. For Your Industrial Athlete The sport athletic industry has seen great benefits from incorpo- rating compression garments to enhance performance, provide pain relief, prevent injury and aid in recovery. Introducing this concept to industrial athletes would be just as beneficial. Compression is shown to increase blood circulation back to the heart, which can prevent blood clots, minimize swelling and reduce pain and fatigue. It also increases the oxygen level in muscles, which increases a person’s energy level as well as aids in recovery from exertion by preventing soreness. Compression also keeps muscles warm, which helps them be more flexible and have a wider range of motion, decreasing the risk of injury. Some compression products even provide the ben- efits of a kinesiology taping treatment. In a study that evaluated lower leg muscle fatigue and ede- ma induced by long-standing of workers wearing regular socks compared to degrees of compression as intervention, compres- sion proved beneficial4. Lower leg muscle twitch force, volume and discomfort ratings were measured before and after a 12-hour standing work shift. Muscle twitch force is the level and frequency of contraction by a muscle. When muscles are fatigued the contraction is less intense and frequent, a slower response time. The study showed that the control group wearing non-compression saw a decrease while the group wearing 15-20 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) low-level compression had minimal change at the end of the shift. Therefore, compression maintained the workers’ muscle response time from beginning to end of shift — workers could end a shift as good as they started. Full Coverage The orthotic and insole industry is growing rapidly with market size projected to increase by CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 7.8 percent to $8.8 million by 2032. With the rise in non- invasive foot treatments, personal wellness solutions and a large U.S. population of diabetes and arthritis suffers, as well as other painful foot conditions, the need for foot relief is great. Based on that demand, major safety footwear brands now implement premium footbeds in most styles to tell a feel-good fa- tigue-fighting comfort story. And while it is initially helpful, the life expectancy of any footbed is short, breaking down well before the 36 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2023 www.ohsonline.com