Sleep-related injuries in the U.S. Army, 1984-1991

U.S. Army Safety Center files for the years 1984-1991 were searched for ground accidents involving sleeping soldiers. There were 68 incidents which could be so categorized, 53 of which resulted in injuries and 15 in fatalities. The average cost to the Army, adjusted to 1991 dollars, was $8,300 for each injury and $61,900 for each fatality. The injured required an average 24.6 days of lost duty time for recovery. The incidents most commonly occurred when soldiers slept near vehicles and less commonly when they slept in designated "safe" areas. With improved guidance and training, such accidents could be reduced.