Construction workers are frequently exposed to sleep deprivation as a result of extended overtime and shift work. Such deprivation can substantially impair risk-averse behavior, which is essential for maintaining safety in dynamic and high-risk construction environments. The present study investigates the impact of sleep deprivation on risk-averse behavior among construction workers and examines the mediating roles of cognitive level and motor performance in this relationship.
Using a mouse model, this study employed a biological paradigm to examine the effects of sleep-deprivation duration on risk-averse behavior. The modified multiple platform method was used for sleep deprivation, with cognitive level and motor performance assessed via the novel object recognition test and pole test, respectively. Risk-averse behavior was quantified using a two-way active avoidance paradigm.
The results demonstrated that sleep deprivation significantly impaired risk-averse behavior in mice, and this effect became more pronounced with prolonged sleep deprivation. Furthermore, sleep deprivation adversely affected both cognitive level and motor performance, with greater impairment observed as the duration of sleep deprivation increased. Additionally, we confirmed the mediating roles of cognitive level and motor performance in risk-averse behavior, elucidating the mechanism by which sleep deprivation impairs an individual's risk-averse behavior.
This study provides a novel approach to understanding the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation affects worker safety, offering direct implications for occupational health management. Specifically, for workers experiencing inadequate sleep, implementing regular breaks (e.g. a 15–20-minute break every 3–4 hours) could mitigate negative effects. Pre-shift training should incorporate cognitive and motor exercises tailored to counteract potential deficits caused by sleep deprivation, enhancing overall safety preparedness.
This study not only provides a novel approach to better understand how sleep deprivation affects workers' safety, but also encourages project managers to improve work-rest schedules for construction workers. By optimizing scheduling systems and controlling overtime hours, these measures can reduce accident risks caused by impaired risk-averse behavior resulting from sleep deprivation, thereby ensuring safer and more orderly project execution.
