Tired at work: accident risk almost twice as high

Go to World Sleep Day of March 13, 2026, Suva warns of the serious consequences of sleep deprivation in the workplace. According to the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund, around one in three people sleep poorly and one in ten even suffers from a chronic sleep disorder - with a noticeable impact on health and safety.

«Lack of sleep is serious for safety in the workplace,» says Inglina Keller, prevention advisor and health specialist at Suva. Tiredness restricts reaction times, concentration and motor skills. According to studies, people with chronic insomnia have a two to two-and-a-half times higher risk of work errors and accidents. Short lapses in attention can have serious consequences, particularly in occupations with a high risk potential. Fatigued employees are almost twice as likely to have an accident - in road traffic, the risk is even seven to eight times higher.

Lack of sleep is also costly in economic terms: anyone who sleeps less than six hours a night loses an average of seven working days a year due to illness or reduced performance. Even slight sleep deficits lead to significantly more days lost. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation also increases the risk of mental and cardiovascular diseases.

To promote healthy sleep, Suva advises companies to clearly regulate availability and overtime, allow flexible working hours and encourage breaks and short power naps. Training courses on stress management and sleep hygiene also help. Individually, a regular sleep rhythm, avoiding screens and caffeine before going to bed and a quiet, dark and cool bedroom are recommended.

After all, a good night's sleep is not only important in private life - it makes a decisive contribution to safety and performance in everyday working life.

Source and further information: www.suva.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/uebermuedet-im-job-unfallrisiko-fast-doppelt-so-hoch/