Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  Background: Yearly thousands workers throughout the world, particularly in developing country are involved in work-related accidents resulting work force disability and eventually, costing a lot for industries. Recent researches show that transition into and out of DST (Day Light Saving Time) plan causes imbalance circadian rhythm and may lead to sleep disorders. Sleep deprivation may have negative consequences on motivation , accuracy , consciousness and it is likely that the transition into and out of DST leads to increase the number of accidents. Therefore, this study was conducted for the reason that Iran is one of the countries in which the DST plan is implemented and so far, there is not any study in this case.

  Methods: Study type was a descriptive and analytic one. Using the database of Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization , in this study we analyzed the total number of occupational accidents during 9 years from 2003 to 2011 in the months before and after change time.

  Results: The results showed that the number of accidents did not increase significantly and considerably in the months before and after the implement of change time. In addition, most accidents occurring in the months before and after DST were related to the age range of 30-39 years old workers. Most accidents occurred among workers who had less than 5 years work history and the most injured location in the months before and after DST was related to lower and upper extremities.

  Conclusion: It seems that the sleep deprivation after DST transition does not affect considerably on the occupational accidents rate among the workers of Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization .