A couple of weeks ago, millions of Americans sprung their clocks forward thanks to daylight savings time. This process causes us to lose an hour of sleep each spring. But more and more data is coming out showing just how dangerous daylight savings time can be. Studies show that heart attacks and car accidents rise after the change, primarily due to the lack of sleep we receive as a result. But, does daylight savings time have an impact on your construction business?
Lack Of Sleep
When working on a construction job site, it’s imperative that your employees are alert. Otherwise, they could potentially suffer from a work-related injury, which could occur after a momentary lack of judgment. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine finds that lack of sleep is a tremendous safety hazard at any job site and that it can take up to a week to adjust to a new sleep schedule.
Workplace accidents can be devastating for small business owners by impacting their wallets in more ways than one. For instance, the company will likely have to pay for:
• Worker’s compensation
• New training
• New equipment
• Possible legal fees
• Etc…
There are a few states that have moved to eliminate daylight savings time to avoid issues like this. But if you don’t live in one of these states, there’s no way for you to avoid the hour of sleep that you lose each spring. Instead, you’re going to have to take steps to minimize the risk of an accident.
Stress Workplace Safety To Employees
One of the best ways to ensure workplace safety is by having a training seminar with your employees each spring. In early April, take a couple of hours to review the necessary safety procedures and your workplace disaster plan. Make sure that the information you provide your employees is up to date and that they all understand the practices you have in place.
Be sure to check your company trucks to ensure that there are first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other relevant tools in place in case of an accident. Also, make sure that your crew’s safety equipment is in good working condition. Remind each employee that it is required to wear steel-toed boots and eye protection every day for their safety.
Lastly, spring is an excellent time to perform maintenance on company equipment and vehicles. Summer will likely become a busy season and it’s better that you perform routine maintenance before things begin to pick up.
Look Into Time Card Apps
Another way to ease the transition into daylight savings time is with a time clock app. Time clock apps allow employees to clock in and out seamlessly. No longer will they be stressed trying to log their information on a paper timesheet. This app can also provide employees with directions to a job site, increasing the likelihood of employees showing up to work on time. Even when they are deprived of sleep.
