Louisiana Job Injury Law Blog

Daylight Savings Time, the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less, has been observed since 1895. The practice is the source of much annual anticipation for individuals eager to benefit from longer days and more day lit hours.

A study from the American Psychological Association, however, suggests "springing forward" from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time may have some unintended consequences such as disrupted sleep patterns and an increased risk for workplace injury.

According to the study's authors, the hour of sleep lost when Americans set their clocks an hour ahead each spring results in higher rates of workplace accidents caused by sleep loss. The study analyzed accident and time use data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics, concluding that the average person sleeps about 40 minutes less the Sunday night of the time switch resulting in approximately 3.6 more work injuries the following Monday in hazardous occupations such as mining and construction.

Besides increased risk for work injury, "springing forward" has also been linked to increased risk for auto accidents on the Monday following the annual time change. A study by the U.S National Highway and Safety Administration found a 17 percent increase in car accidents caused by fatigue resulting from spring Daylight Savings Time.

Drs. Christopher Barnes and David Wagner conducted the study with assistance from organizational behavior doctoral candidates at Michigan State University. Findings have been published in the American Journal of Psychology. Daylight Savings Time this year begins on March 11th at 2:00 a.m. local time.

If you are injured on the job contact your Louisiana workplace injury lawyer.

Island Operating Co, East Cameron #2, Gulf Of Mexico Incident:
On January 13, 2010, Employees #1, #2, and #3 were working on an oil-rig production platform when a fire and explosion occurred. The fire and explosion resulted from a release of natural gas from the 3-inch diameter gas sales line that was located on the main (top) deck of the platform. The line had developed ice plugs in it, causing natural gas to collect near draft burners that were also on the main deck. This provided an ignition source, which led to the fire and ultimate explosion. All three men jumped off the platform into the cold water of the Gulf, where they waited for rescue. A rescue boat arrived approximately 1.5 to 2-hours later. Employees #1, #2, and #3 all experienced hypothermia due to the low water temperatures, combined with the length of time in the water. However, Employee #1 died, while Employees #2 and #3 survived. Both Employee #2 and #3 were hospitalized and treated for their injuries.

Source:

OSHA- Baton Rouge

Gatx Corporation, Camp Minden, LA Incident: On March 12, 2010, Employee #1 and five coworkers were stenciling the exterior and visually verifying the interior of three railcars. The employee had equipped himself with a monitoring meter to perform internal railcar, confined space testing prior to entry. Employee #1 operated a truck crane to remove the manway covers that two coworkers had unbolted. After the lid was removed, Employee #1 dismounted the truck crane but left the monitoring meter. Employee #1 mounted and entered, to photograph, two subsequent railcars but did no preentry monitoring. On the third railcar, Employee #1 entered the railcar without conducting preentry atmospheric monitoring. Employee #1 was in the railcar, took several photos, then preceded to exit up the interior ladder but fell back into the railcar. Coworker #1 (hole watch) was preparing to enter the space but was told not to enter the railcar by the remaining coworkers. Coworker #1 yelled down to a crew member to bring him the monitoring meter. He placed the probe into the manway and immediately got a low oxygen alarm. The reading was between 5 and 7.3 oxygen. Employee #1 died in the confined space due to oxygen deprivation. The employee was equipped with a cartridge respirator.

Source:

OSHA Office Baton Rouge

Chesapeake Operating, Inc, Usa-Mm-North Compressor Station. E.Range/Texas Rd.
Haughton, LA Incident:

On January 6, 2010, an employee was working on a high-pressure separator, which was part of a natural gas production facility. A 3-in. line that was attached to the separator broke, allowing the natural gas to flow out of the tank at 1,000 psi. The resulting fire and explosion killed the worker.

Source:

OSHA-Baton Rouge

Trinidad Drilling Usa, Rig 101, Keithville, LA Incident: Employee #1 had just completed tripping out the drill pipe and had started tripping back into the hole. Employee #1 tripped in five sections of pipe when he got between the drill pipe in the rotary table and the iron roughneck. Employee #1 was crushed and killed.

Source:

OSHA- Baton Rouge