O f course none of us would drink a six pack of beer before operating a hazardous machine. However, some of us might be willing to perform a dangerous task even though we haven’t gotten enough sleep. The unfortunate reality is that insufficient sleep has an effect on our physical and mental abilities similar to alcohol consumption. Consider: A loss of two hours of sleep leads to the same impairment level that drinking two beers does, and a loss of four hours of sleep is equivalent to consuming a six pack of beer. Higher injury risk Also remember that fatigued workers have a much higher risk of making a mistake that leads to a severe injury. Consider: Employees who get the recommended 8 hours of sleep at night have an injury rate of 2.27 incidents for every 100 workers, while those who get less than 5 hours of sleep have a rate of 7.89 injuries for every 100 workers. (Why do we have a higher risk of an injury when we’re tired?) Fatigued individuals are more likely to get hurt because of several factors, including slowed reaction times, poor decision- making abilities, reduced situational awareness and lower levels of motivation. Get enough sleep To make sure none of us suffers an injury because we’re tired, it’s important to take steps to reduce the chances of handling hazardous tasks while fatigued. The best thing you can do to stay alert on the job is to get enough sleep at night. Shoot for 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. One way to improve the quality of your sleep is to remember the four ACES: • Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine before bedtime. • Create a sleep-friendly Environment in a dark, cool and quiet bedroom. • Don’t use Screens such as televisions, cellphones, or tablets before bedtime. It’s also a good idea to take regular breaks to lower your level of fatigue. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain and mental fatigue. In addition, you should stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods during the workday. Drink plenty of water; eat balanced meals rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats such as fruit and high-energy snacks; and avoid sugary items and energy drinks, which actually worsen fatigue levels. Let your boss know And don’t forget the importance of letting your supervisor know if you start to feel tired on the job. Look for the warning signs of fatigue, which include frequent blinking or yawning, memory lapses, slowed reaction times and microsleeps – uncontrolled moments of sleep that last just a few seconds. Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Lyme disease When you consider that there’s been a whopping 70% increase in the number of Lyme disease cases reported in the U.S. over the past few years, you know it’s critically important for you to take steps to reduce the likelihood of contracting this debilitating health condition whenever you’re laboring outdoors. What to focus on Here are three things you can do to protect yourself from the ticks that carry Lyme disease. 1. Dress appropriately. Put on a long-sleeved shirt and long pants before working outdoors in wooded areas where ticks thrive. Make sure the clothing is light-colored, which will make it easier for you to spot a tick. Also tuck your pants into your socks. 2. Apply insect repellant. Before starting a task outdoors, spray insect repellant on all exposed areas of your skin. Select a product that contains DEET or picaridin. Bonus: You could also apply permethrin to your clothing, because it kills ticks upon contact. 3. Check your body for ticks. After you’ve been laboring outdoors, examine your body for ticks. Pay extra attention to the areas behind your knees, the underarms, the scalp and the groin. If you spot a tick, use tweezers to carefully remove it. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Fatigue ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors August 3, 2026