31.07.2006

HSE guidance to help shiftworkers run like clockwork

A new publication from the Health and Safety Executive - "Managing Shift Work: Health and Safety Guidance" - aims to raise awareness of the risks of shift work.
The publication also suggests sensible measures employers, safety representatives and employees can use to reduce the negative impact of shift work

More than 3.5million people in the UK work shifts, across a variety of sectors including heavy industry. Poorly designed shift-working arrangements and long working hours that do not balance the demands of work with time for rest and recovery can result in fatigue, accidents, injuries and ill health.

Drawing together advice and best practice from a range of sources, "Managing Shift Work: Health and Safety Guidance" explains employers' legal duties and the risks associated with shiftwork and provides advice on risk assessment, design of shift work schedules and the shift-work environment.

"It is important not to underestimate the risks of shift work. If shift workers are fatigued, their performance will be affected," said Trevor Shaw, head of HSE's human factors corporate topic group: "As a result they may make more errors, which can lead to accidents and injuries. This guidance offers a wealth of practical help and advice to businesses on how to manage those risks."

These guidelines are general, and cover a wide range of factors that may or may not be relevant to particular industry sectors. Therefore it is necessary to use common sense when applying them. Employers will also need to balance the good practice guidelines with the operational concerns of their businesses.

"Managing shift work: Health and Safety Guidance" is a priced publication available from HSE books at £9.95. HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165; Fax: 01787 313995.