While you may have made some mistakes when you weren’t sleeping well, these poor sleepers can cause disasters and even many deaths. These are preventable mistakes. Then, check out our mattress buying guide for the best online mattress.
1. 1.
Space Shuttle Challenger launched at Kennedy Space Center.
Seven crew members were killed when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after it had begun its flight.
A faulty seal in one booster was the main cause of the accident. A faulty seal in one of the boosters allowed hot, burning gas to escape and ignite a catastrophic explosion.
Another factor was also identified in post-incident reports.
Managers responsible for key decisions about the mission worked long hours and irregularly. It increased the likelihood of poor decision-making.
One key turning point was that managers ignored warnings by engineers that the rocket booster seal might not withstand low temperatures.
The temperatures on the day of departure were below freezing.
According to one report, other factors could have hindered or prevented effective communication or the exchange of information.
Due to fatigue and sleep deprivation, managers were unable to pay attention to safety warnings and precautions given by engineers.
Later, it was revealed that the managers had slept less than two hours on the night prior to the launch.
This was not the first space shuttle accident caused by sleep deprivation. Eighty-five minutes before liftoff, 1986, a crew of tired and sleep deprived operators depleted 8,165 kilograms of fuel from Columbia Shuttle.
It would have been a catastrophe if another engine problem had not caused the mission cancellation less than 31 seconds before liftoff.
2. Three Mile Island Plant Near Disaster
Some people believe that the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe was partially caused by sleep deprivation.
However, there are too many contradicting reports on the human factor of the accident for us to conclude that sleep deprivation was a problem.
In 1979, Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania was the site of a nuclear plant accident in which sleep deprivation was a contributing factor.
The incident was described on a sign in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
Excessive coolant was the main cause of the accident. Operators didn’t realize the coolant had escaped, and that the reactor core was melting and overheating. Operators took the wrong corrective steps even though they were aware of the problem due to poor computer interface design.
One operator turned off the emergency cooling system after he felt there was too much coolant.
Sleep deprivation was the main reason workers didn’t notice the coolant escaping. The accident did not result in any deaths, and there were only very minor effects.
3. Navy Ship Collisions
After collision with a commercial vessel, visible damage to the USS John S. McCain
A series of Navy ship collisions at Sea last year, some of which resulted in the deaths of Navy sailors, brought to light the exhausting work hours that go into those ships.
Experts have identified a number of contributing technical and learning factors to the accidents. However, investigators also believe that long work hours and insufficient sleep are equally responsible. Tired sailors ignored safety precautions or were unable anticipate trouble.
4. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
It was the second-largest oil spillage in the US, after the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. The Exxon oil tanker hit a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The oil poured into the sea in 10.8 million gallons.
The accident caused environmental havoc, including the deaths of many thousands of seabirds and birds.
Major contributors to the accident were fatigue and sleep deprivation.
The captain of the ship was unconscious after a night of drinking. The tanker’s driver was extremely fatigued, having been awake for over 18 hours. All of the crew were also experiencing fatigue and insufficient sleep.
This, along with poor Exxon management, led to the deaths of 2,800 otters and 250 bald eagles. 300 seals were also killed.
5. 5.
Drowsy Driving CDC
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, there are approximately 6,000 car accidents each year that result from falling asleep while driving. The number of fatal and non-fatal crashes is in the tens or thousands.
This is a common yearly catastrophe.
Newer vehicles have technology that can warn drivers if they are falling asleep, but the best way to prevent this is to not drive drowsy. It’s as dangerous as driving drunk.
Check out My Favorite Products for 2021!
Choose a list >MattressesToppers and PadsCooling/HeatingPillowsSheets
To see my top picks in that category, touch a tab above.
These are my current favorite of the 60+ beds that I have reviewed:
The best way to cool down your bed is with mattress toppers and pads.
The BedJet is my favorite bed cooling/heating system.
These pillows are great for relieving shoulder and neck pain.
These luxury sheets sets are my favourite online:
Parachutes Sateen sheets are the best for specific needs. Brooklinens Linen sheets Organic Luxury sheets: Saatva Lofton Organic Sheets. Breathable/Cool Percale sheets made from Parachute and Brooklinen.
