Not everyone works from 9 to 5, and that’s especially true in Minnesota where agriculture and manufacturing are two of the largest industries. Working the night shift can provide you with some unique opportunities, but you’re also exposed to different challenges, some of which can be downright dangerous. Although day shift workers experience more injuries in total, night shift workers suffer a higher proportion of injuries for a variety of reasons. We explore those reasons and discuss your compensation options in today’s blog.
Risks To Night Shift Workers
There are a number of factors that make working the night shift more dangerous to the worker. While not all of these factors may apply to your position, these are some of the more common risks that night shift workers are often exposed to:
Poorer lighting – If workers can’t clearly see what’s in front of them due to darkness, they are at a higher risk of collision or fall injuries.
Fewer supervisors to oversee employees – At best, most employers have the same amount of managers and supervisors on staff during the night as they do during the day, but in most cases, there is less oversight during the overnight shift than during the day.
Difficulty seeing or being seen by others – Construction workers wear high-visibility gear, but the night oftentimes makes it harder to be seen by others. If they are working on roads, it can be a recipe for injury.
Irregular sleep patterns for employees – Some night shift workers struggle to get adequate rest during the day, which can make them tired for their shift. Tiredness and lack of concentration are associated with an increased likelihood of injury. Lack of adequate sleep has also been associated with heart problems, high blood pressure, memory loss and immunity problems.
Compensation Options
So whether you’re a bartender, police officer, construction worker, emergency services personnel, fast food worker or anyone else who often has to work throughout the night, know that you have options when it comes to compensation. It doesn’t matter if it’s an acute trauma injury or something that has developed over time, if your work duties lead to the injury, you are entitled to compensation.
At Hey Workers, we’ve helped countless second and third shift workers get the benefits they deserve after an injury. In the event that your injury came about as a result of negligence by your employer or another party, we can work with you to help you understand all of your claim options, because they need to be held accountable. You have enough to worry about if you’re working the night shift – wondering how you’re going to get compensation for an injury shouldn’t be one of them.
For more information, or to talk to a team of lawyers about your injury and compensation options, reach out to the experienced group at Hey Workers today.
