Fatigued new dads more likely to have near misses at work: study

New South Wales, Australia – Fatigued new fathers are at higher risk for near misses on the job, according to a study from Southern Cross University.

Surveys of 241 fathers at six and 12 weeks after their baby was born showed they experienced cumulative fatigue due to lack of sleep and inability to recover, according to the study abstract. Consequently, researchers found those workers were 36 percent more likely to have a near miss at work and 26 percent more likely to have a near miss driving to and from work, according to an SCU press release.

The fathers averaged 49 hours of work a week and experienced interrupted sleep averaging less than six hours per night.

Recommendations include reconsidering when fathers take parental leave and employers ensuring new fathers are not assigned to dangerous tasks.

The study was published in the January issue of the American Journal of Men’s Health.