Why fatigue management matters—and how Sleep First can help.

July 7th marks Injury Prevention Day, a national reminder that safety on the job is about more than PPE, hard hats, and hazard signs. Sometimes, the biggest risks are the ones we can’t see.

Take fatigue, for example. When workers are running on empty, especially during night shifts or while working overtime, decision-making is harder, reaction time is slower, and safety protocols tend to fall by the wayside.  Employers we’ve worked with have reported missed steps in standard procedures, safety shortcuts, near-misses, or strange mishaps that seem outside the norm. Sound familiar?

And as we reflect on injury prevention this month, there’s no better time to talk about how sleep (or lack thereof) is directly tied to workplace safety and liability.

Fatigue on the Job

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, fatigue can impair alertness, memory, and coordination, putting workers and their teammates at greater risk. In fact, studies show that being awake for 17 hours straight affects your brain in much the same way as a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. 

Translation? A sleepy employee might as well be a tipsy one.

And the consequences are very real:

  • Fatigued drivers are up to 3x more likely to be involved in a crash.

  • Night shift workers are 6x more likely to have a fatigue-related accident.

  • Fatigue contributes to up to 13% of workplace injuries, especially in jobs involving heavy machinery, long shifts, or high-pressure environments.

Some of these accidents are textbook. Others are…unexpected. Employees have reported things like:

  • Driving into barriers or curbs while leaving work at night

  • Forgetting to activate brake systems on equipment

  • Sleeping through alarms (and even missing entire shifts)

  • Parking on the wrong side of the road—or in the wrong lot entirely

In other words, sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you groggy—it affects how you move, think, and react. A fatigued worker might misjudge distances, misread instructions/directions, or overlook safety procedures.

Night Shifts, Early Starts, and Unusual Hours: Who’s at Risk?

While anyone can experience fatigue, the risk is especially high for people working:

  • Rotating or night shifts

  • Extended hours or overtime

  • Safety-sensitive roles (like healthcare, transportation, or construction)

  • Jobs that require a lot of driving or travel

That’s because our bodies are governed by circadian rhythms, natural cycles that regulate sleepiness and wakefulness. Working against these rhythms (like staying awake overnight or waking up at 4 a.m. for a shift) forces the brain into a state of body clock confusion.

The result? Slowed reaction times, poor concentration, and a higher chance of mistakes.

Symptoms of fatigue can include:

  • Zoning out or daydreaming

  • Mood swings or irritability

  • Forgetfulness or confusion

  • Increased errors or taking unnecessary risks

Most dangerously, tired workers often don’t realize they’re impaired—until it’s too late.

The Cost of Tired Employees

Beyond the human cost, workplace fatigue carries a hefty price tag.

Companies dealing with chronic fatigue in their workforce may face:

  • Higher rates of injury and compensation claims

  • Increased absenteeism and turnover

  • Productivity loss due to presenteeism (being at work but underperforming)

  • Potential legal exposure if fatigue-related accidents occur on-site

Fatigue isn’t just a personal health issue—it’s a corporate liability. And many companies are waking up to the fact that sleep is a business issue, too.

What Employers Can Do: Putting Sleep Safety First

While we can’t tuck your employees into bed each night (as much as we’d like to), there are concrete, proactive steps employers can take to reduce fatigue-related risks:

Encourage breaks. Regular rest periods help prevent the buildup of mental and physical fatigue.

Educate your team. Provide sleep health resources and normalize conversations around fatigue.

Foster a sleep-positive culture. That means no glorifying all-nighters or “toughing it out.” Well-rested workers perform better—and stay safer.

Bring in expert support. That’s where our Sleep First program comes in.

A Smarter Way to Manage Fatigue

Sleep First is an employee wellness initiative from Sleep Therapeutics that targets the root cause of fatigue by helping employees sleep better, longer, and safer.

The program includes:

  • Sleep health education for teams and leadership

  • At-home sleep screening for high-risk individuals

  • Follow-up care and therapy for those diagnosed with sleep disorders (like sleep apnea)

  • Ongoing support to track progress and improve outcomes

Employers who implement Sleep First see results that go beyond better sleep. Think: higher productivity, fewer sick days, safer work environments—and employees who genuinely feel cared for.

Because when sleep comes first, everything else works better.

Let’s Prevent the Next Incident—Before It Happens

A well-rested workforce is a safer, more effective workforce. And investing in sleep isn’t just good for morale, it’s a strategic move that reduces risk, boosts performance, and protects your bottom line.

Let’s talk about what the Sleep First program could look like for your team.

Visit our site or connect with us here to get started.