Originally published August 26 2005
Work shorter hours for better health
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
People who work longer hours are more prone to accident and injury, according to new study.
People who work overtime are up to 61% more likely to fall ill or hurt themselves in an accident.
But the researchers found that the risk is not related to the type of job we do, only the amount of hours we work.
The US researchers, from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, studied the responses of almost 11,000 Americans to the annual National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.
More than half of these injuries and illnesses were in jobs with extended working hours or overtime - in the USA, up to a third of overtime is compulsory.
In the UK, 75% of employees currently work overtime but only a third are rewarded with extra pay or time off in lieu.
After adjusting for age, gender, type of industry and job, employees working overtime were 61% more likely to sustain a work related injury or illness than employees who did not work overtime.
Working at least 12 hours a day was associated with a 37% increased risk of injury or illness, while working at least 60 hours a week was associated with a 23% increased risk.
Derek Walker, Wales TUC head of policy and campaigns, said, "Long hours are bad for workers and bad for businesses.
"Most people in Wales do not mind putting in some extra time when there's a crisis or an unexpected rush.
"But too many workplaces in Wales have come to depend on very long hours.
Further analysis of the US research indicated that the increased risks were not merely the result of demanding work schedules being concentrated in inherently "riskier" industries or jobs.
It is estimated that four million people in the UK work more than 48 hours a week on average - 20,000 more in Wales than in 1992 when there was no limit, according to the TUC.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml