Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries

Introduction
In the past ten years, research has shown that the greatest risks of occupational injuries
were due to first, poor work conditions, and second, sleepiness. Insufficient sleep and impaired
alertness are the most common problems with non-physiological working hours (Occupational
Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries, 2012). Tired employees have a
greater risk of workplace injuries and accidents due to decreased reaction times, decreased
accuracy in tasks, and a weakened short-term memory. This study, conducted by a team of
researchers in Varanasi, India, suggests than as many as half of all work-related accidents and
injuries are related to sleepiness.
This topic was chosen by the researchers due to its inarguable relevance. Sleep is a basic
need of the body. Without sleep, one is more likely to get sick due to a weakened immune
system. Major cognition issues arrive- leading to flawed decision making and memory. Irritation
and a lowered sex-drive are also symptoms of sleep deprivation. The need of sleep is universal
and the results of this study would be beneficial to every race and every country around the
world.
Though the researchers did not publish their hypothesis, it is assumed that the researchers
desired to understand if there was a direct correlation between work-related injuries in a
workplace and the amount of sleep that the workers received. Through a large survey, they hoped
to discover to what degree the relationship was between sleep and injuries, if there was one.

Materials and Methods

The researchers created a cross-sectional study, meaning that subjects of the
questionnaire were from all genders, ages, socio-economic statuses, and positions in their
company. The subjects were randomly picked and given a self-rating questionnaire, with
questions that included how many work-related injuries that had within the past year, the number
of hours they slept nightly, and the degree of their sleepiness. The number surveyed was a total
of 920 workers.
Results
The results of this study showed that there, indeed, was a strong relationship between
sleepiness and work-related injury. The participants with the least amount of sleep reported
occupational-related injuries more frequently than the participants who had a greater amount of
sleep. The results were consistent for age, place of employment, and gender. The researchers
were not overly surprised by the results of their studies. The results of the study were consistent
with the similar studies that were researched by previous researchers.
Discussion
Through their study, the researchers were able to gather enough information to come to a
conclusion. The results showed that there was a strong relationship between poor sleep habits
and self-reported injuries. While this relationship cannot be proven as causation, it is sufficient to
report a strong relationship. No information is given on whether or not the researchers plan to
continue their research.

Because the researchers conducted their study professionally and accurately, the
limitations of this study are few and insignificant. The population surveyed was of varying ages,
genders, years of education, and job types. The limitation was the lack of diversity in the
surveyed populations nationality. All who participated in this study were from a city called
Varanasi in India. The research could be implemented in different countries and regions to test
the accuracy of this studys results.

Citation

Jaiswal, A. (2012). Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries.

Human Biology Review, 248-267.