Article
Modeling the impact of the components of long work hours on injuries and “accidents”
Article first published online: 28 MAR 2006
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20307
Copyright © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1097-0274/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=e0f33b687598b5adbbbced84abe7a827fb4a7d56 "American Journal of Industrial Medicine")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Folkard, S. and Lombardi, D. A. (2006), Modeling the impact of the components of long work hours on injuries and “accidents”. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 49: 953–963. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20307
Publication History
- Issue published online: 11 OCT 2006
- Article first published online: 28 MAR 2006
- Manuscript Accepted: 6 FEB 2006
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- work hours;
- safety;
- health;
- injuries;
- accidents;
- mathematical models;
- risk;
- regulations;
- shiftwork
Abstract
Background
Many of the industrial disasters of the last few decades, including Three Mile island, Chernobyl, Bhopal, Exxon Valdez, and the Estonia ferry, have occurred in the early hours of the morning. Follow-up investigations concluded that they were at least partially attributable to human fatigue and/or error. The potential impact of long work hours on health and safety is a major concern that has resulted in various work hour regulations.
Methods
The risk of injuries and “accidents” (incidents) associated with features of work schedules from published epidemiological studies are pooled using an additive model to form a “Risk Index.” The estimated risks of an incident for various standard work schedules are presented using the proposed model.
Results
The estimated risk of an injury or accident associated with any given number of weekly work hours varies substantially depending on how work hours are comprised. The risk depends on the length and type of shift, as well as the frequency of rest breaks.
Conclusions
We conclude that placing a limit on the risk associated with a particular work schedule is likely more effective than setting daily, weekly or monthly work hour regulations in keeping workplace safety within acceptable limits. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.