Working Overtime Can Lead to Injuries

Overtime hours can have cumulative negative effects that lead to increased injuries on the job, especially for highly physical jobs like construction and factory work. Long, irregular hours often lead to fatigue, which is the body’s way of telling us it’s time to take a break. 

2020 has left us all feeling overworked. Whether this means working from home and guiding our children’s educations at the same time or actually working on site and enduring the stress of new guidelines on the job, it’s a lot to deal with. If you happen to also be working overtime, it leaves you more vulnerable to injuries on the job. If you’ve suffered an injury at work, don’t wait to consult with an experienced Kansas workers’ compensation attorney. 

OSHA Weighs In

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shares that, although long working days and irregular shift work are common in the United States, these practices can lead to dangerous worker fatigue, which can lead to all the following negative health consequences:

• Increased stress
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor eating habits
• Increased incidence of illness
• Decreased concentration

Fatigue is your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest, and when you ignore the signs, it can lead to dangerous accidents at work. 

Your Work Schedule

Your work schedule can have a significant impact on your safety on the job. Consider all of the following:

• Working excessive and/or irregular hours can lead to fatigue, which leaves you more vulnerable to accidents caused by a lack of attention. Certain jobs, such as construction work and factory work, require careful attention not only to the job at hand but also to your general safety. If your attention wanders due to fatigue while you are working, it can lead to dangerous accidents. 
• When you work protracted hours, you’re less likely to have adequate supervision on the job, which can lead to safety concerns – especially for physically taxing jobs like construction work, manufacturing, and factory work. Supervisors play an important role in coordinating, implementing, and maintaining safety efforts, and their absence often proves dangerous. 
• Working long, grueling hours leaves you more vulnerable to physical illness and to a longer recovery period. 
• Excess hours on the job can also have a negative psychological impact that leads to depression and/or other mental health concerns, which are closely associated with increased illnesses and physical injuries.  

Seek the Professional Legal Counsel of an Experienced Kansas Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

An injury on the job can leave you out of work and scrambling to keep up with your mounting medical bills, but the dedicated Kansas workers’ compensation attorney at Pyle Law has the legal acumen, resources, and experience to help. Our accomplished legal team is committed to skillfully advocating for the compensation to which you are entitled and that you need to regain your health and well-being. We are here to help you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 620-374-9299 for more information today.