Fatigue plays a major role in shiftwork accidents. To improve the safety, health, and productivity of shiftworkers, NIOSH recommends the following practical guidelines.
Guidelines to reduce shiftwork fatigue
- Keep the schedule regular and predictable. Shiftworkers should know their schedules well ahead of time so that they can plan sleep and rest periods. Studies of transportation accidents show a correlation between irregular schedules and higher accident risk.
- Keep consecutive night shifts to a minimum. Some researchers recommend working only two to four nights in a row before taking a few days off to limit circadian disruption and cumulative sleep loss.
- Avoid quick shift changes. Avoid a break of only seven to ten hours before rotating to a new shift (for example, from morning to night on the same day). Rapid rotations make it difficult to get quality rest and increase the chance of feeling tired and sleepy; aim for at least 24 hours between a night shift and a different shift, and 48 hours when feasible.
- Avoid working several days in a row followed by four- to seven-day breaks. Long blocks of work followed by extended time off can make it hard to return to night work after spending days on a daytime schedule.
- Keep long shifts to a minimum. For 12-hour schedules, limit consecutive long shifts to two or three. Avoid longer night shifts when possible; if unavoidable, schedule heavier tasks on shorter or daytime shifts and lighter tasks on the long night shift.
- Examine rest breaks. Standard lunch and rest breaks may not be enough for night workers to remain safe and productive. For repetitive or high-concentration tasks, brief hourly rest breaks help recovery from physical and mental fatigue.
- Be aware of high-risk periods. Managers should note that most accidents occur between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., near the end of the shift, during periods of high activity, or on the first two night shifts after working days or having days off.
Employers and safety professionals should design schedules and recovery breaks with these risks in mind; for more on managing overtime and scheduling impacts, see Understanding Overtime Risks and Solutions.
For additional information on workplace safety and operational challenges that affect shiftworkers, see Workplace Challenges and Insurance Solutions. If you need individualized help implementing safer schedules, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common signs that a shiftworker is fatigued?
Common signs include frequent yawning, slowed reaction times, trouble concentrating, memory lapses, and increased errors or near misses.
How many night shifts in a row are recommended?
Many researchers suggest limiting consecutive night shifts to two to four in a row to reduce circadian disruption and cumulative sleep loss.
Are standard lunch and rest breaks enough for night shift workers?
Not always; night workers in repetitive or high-focus roles often benefit from more frequent, brief rest breaks to recover both mentally and physically.
When are workers at highest risk of fatigue-related accidents?
Risk is highest between roughly 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., near shift end, during busy periods, and on the first two night shifts after days off or day schedules.