Shift work, safety and productivity

Occup Med (Lond). 2003 Mar;53(2):95-101. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqg047.

Abstract

The arguments in favour of introducing shift work clearly depend on productivity and safety being maintained at an acceptable level. However, the evidence reviewed in this paper clearly indicates that both productivity and safety may be compromised at night. More specifically, safety declines over successive night shifts, with increasing hours on duty and between successive rest breaks. The only known way to minimize these problems is to improve shift systems with respect to these factors. However, these factors need to be considered in combination with one another since, for example, a long night shift that includes frequent rest breaks might well prove safer than a shorter night shift with less frequent breaks.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Efficiency*
  • Humans
  • Mental Fatigue / psychology
  • Models, Psychological
  • Risk Factors
  • Safety / standards*
  • Time Factors
  • Work Schedule Tolerance / physiology
  • Work Schedule Tolerance / psychology*
  • Workload