Shift Work

Safety and Health Officer Course

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 Objective
• State the definition of shift work

• Explain at least 2 effects of stress from shift

work

• Elaborate at least 2 strategies to reduce stresses

from shift work

• List at least 3 guidelines for working night shift

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 Scope

• Definition of shift work

• Stress and Strain Model
• Effects of stress of shift work
• Strategies to reduce effects of shift work
• Guidelines for work during night shift

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 Definition Shift Work

Whatever type of work undertaken outside of

normal daily working hours
(7pm to 7am)

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 Model Stress and Strain

Stress Strain

adjusting work
Potential:
and sleeping

inefficiency
times

health problems

inactive

affect
relationships
Restricting variables

human characteristics

work related factors

Work environment

domestic environment
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 Effects of Stresses of
Shift Work

 Effects circadian rhythm

 Effects from sleeping problems

 Effects from social and domestic activities

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 Effects of Circadian Rhythm

 A daily cycle that has an

effect on worker psychology
and physiology

 Measurement of body
temperature can be taken to
determine the circadian
rhythm

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 Effects of Sleeping Problems

 Stresses from lack of sleep can result in

emotional disturbances, health and work
capacity and performance

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Effects from social and domestic activities

 Can result in lack of responsibility in the

household; towards spouses, children and parents

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Strategies to Reduce Effects of Shift Work

 Sleeping times (routine) that accommodates the shift

requirements
 Use of time indicators or zeitgebers
 Control of noise levels
 Provision of meals for all workers on shift

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 Guidelines for Working &ight Shift
 Night shift workers should be selected from those
over 25 years old and less than 50 years old

 Workers with stomach and intestinal problems,

emotional disturbances, psychomatic symptoms
and insomnia should not be resorted to working
night shifts

 Workers who live alone, far from the workplace, or

in areas with high noise levels are not suitable for
working night shifts
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 Guidelines for Working &ight Shift
 The normal shift system where shift times rotate at
6.00 am – 2.00 pm – 10.00 pm should be changed
to 7.00 am – 3.00 pm – 11.00 pm or at
8.00 am – 4.00 pm – 12.00 midnight

 Shorter work durations are better than longer ones,

and continuous work on night shifts without
rotations should be avoided

 A good shift system should include night shift work

at random of at rotations of 2-2-2 or 2-2-3
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 Guidelines for Working &ight Shift
Continuous working on night shifts whether for
one, two or three days, should be followed by at
least a 24 hour rest

Any shift plan developed should include the

provision of a holiday during weekends, and at least
two continuous days of rest

 Every shift work must include a rest period where

hot and fresh food is available to ensure that the
body’s energy is replenished
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