When workloads surge, so does the risk of injury. During high-load seasons such as construction peaks, agricultural harvests, or manufacturing rushes organizations often extend shifts, compress schedules, and increase production demands. These pressures can quickly erode safety margins and heighten fatigue, making injuries more likely when vigilance is needed most.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), private industry employers reported over 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, with incident rates rising during high-demand periods (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). Fatigue and workload strain remain key contributors to these preventable events.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies extended or irregular shifts as major risk factors for decreased performance, slower reaction times, and greater error rates. Its Long Work Hours, Extended or Irregular Shifts, and Worker Fatigue guidance encourages employers to manage fatigue through shift rotation, adequate breaks, and proactive workload planning (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2024).

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reinforces that cumulative stress on the body especially from repetitive or physically demanding tasks is a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders and lost workdays. Its Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders program provides evidence-based methods to redesign workstations, improve lifting techniques, and introduce mechanical aids to reduce repetitive strain (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2025a).

In addition, NIOSH’s Total Worker Health® initiative emphasizes integrating health protection and promotion to counteract the stress of high workloads. By addressing both physical and psychological demands, organizations can improve worker endurance and engagement, even during production surges (NIOSH, 2025b).

At Key Safety LLC, we help companies balance productivity and protection through proactive planning. Our Document Development for Start-up Projects integrates OSHA’s fatigue control recommendations into customized operational policies. With Service on Demand, we deliver rapid on-site assessments during peak seasons, ensuring safe staffing, ergonomic compliance, and hazard controls. Our Regular Consultation Service provides ongoing data analysis, trend tracking, and safety culture coaching to sustain readiness beyond seasonal cycles.

High-load seasons will always test limits but they don’t have to exceed them. When organizations treat endurance as a safety metric, they protect both performance and people.

References

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2025a, March 1). Ergonomics and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ergonomics/index.html

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2025b, April 17). Total Worker Health®. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/default.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024, August 9). Long work hours, extended or irregular shifts, and worker fatigue. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/worker-fatigue/prevention

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, March 21). Employer-reported workplace injuries and illnesses, 2023. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh.htm