Errors and accidents

Abstract

Sleep deprivation affects performance outcomes across a wide range of cognitive domains. Sleepiness and fatigue, caused by sleep loss, extended work and wakefulness, circadian misalignment, and sleep disorders are major causes of workplace human errors, incidents, and accidents. Car crashes related to falling asleep represent up to 20 % of all traffic accidents in industrial societies and are known to be more likely to cause death and severe injury. Sleep-related accidents are substantial in terms of personal injury, of property damage, lost productivity, and death. Management and prevention of sleep-related accidents should be a priority for the public, labor, governments, and industries. Scientific data on potentially useful countermeasures are needed.