Roofing Law
The Dangers of Worker Fatigue
The physically demanding nature of the roofing industry means worker fatigue is a widespread problem. In fact, approximately half of Americans claim that fatigue affects their ability to perform work tasks at a high level. When it comes to the roofing industry, fatigued workers can lead to improperly installed roofing systems, missed deadlines, injuries, and even fatalities. Although fatigue is experienced by individuals in virtually every industry across the professional spectrum, there are very few industries where fatigue not only affects work performance but health and wellness as well.
In this article, a roofing attorney will discuss the dangers of worker fatigue. If your workers are working slowly, falling asleep on the job, or showing other signs of excessive fatigue, it may be time to take a step back, reevaluate your project, and develop a new plan that places additional emphasis on your workers’ state of being. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a severely injured worker and a workers’ compensation claim that drives up your premiums. This not only affects your team’s morale, but it also affects your bottom line and professional reputation. In instances such as this, you require the services of a roofing attorney to help you avoid any potential legal pitfalls.
“Long Work Hours and Irregular Work Shifts”
According to Cari Elofson, assistant director of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, “Long work hours and irregular work shifts are widespread in today’s workplace and may increase the risk of injuries and accidents due to worker fatigue, increased levels of stress and poor health. It’s important to address the issue of worker fatigue and its potential impact on each worker’s safety and health as well as on the safety of co-workers.”
In other words, managing fatigue can help you avoid costly accidents and injuries. Would you rather have a fatigued employee working 40 hours a week or an alert employee working 30 hours a week? Understanding the cost differential between these two types of workers is also important for developing a thorough understanding of how to protect your workers and your bottom line. Roofing contractors may find that working smarter, not harder, is the key to increased profits. Essentially, you want your team running on all cylinders when they’re working, which isn’t the case when fatigue is an issue.
More Hours, More Injuries
Needless to say, the more your employees work the greater chance they have of succumbing to injury. After all, you can’t get injured in the workplace if you aren’t in the workplace to begin with. Individuals who work 12 or more hours per day had a 37 percent increased risk of injury as compared to those who work less than 12 hours in a shift. Approximately 13 percent of work-related injuries can be traced back to fatigue. With 43 percent of Americans claiming they are too tired to work safely, this is a fact that can’t be ignored.
If you would like to speak with a roofing lawyer, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.