For better or worse? Changing shift schedules and the risk of work injury among men and women

Abstract

For better or worse? Changing shift schedules and the risk of work injury among men and women by Wong IS, Smith PM, Mustard CA, Gignac MAM There are currently no studies which examine the risk of work injury associated with changes in shift type; our study addresses this gap. Results suggest the need to implement occupational health and safety programs soon after changes in shift schedules. Results also highlight the importance of greater awareness of health and safety actions on an ongoing basis, particularly among women. Affiliation 621Original article Scand J Work Environ Health. 2014;40(6):621-630. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3454 For better or worse? Changing shift schedules and the risk of work injury among men and women Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the risk of work injury associated with changes in shift schedules and identify whether work injury risks differ between men and women.Methods Longitudinal panels from the Survey of Labor and Income Dynamics were used to describe work schedule patterns over a 6-year period among a representative sample of Canadian workers (N=19 131). Cox regression was used to estimate the risk of work injury among workers who (i) switched from regular day to nonstandard shifts, (ii) switched from nonstandard to day shifts and (iii) remained in nonstandard shifts, compared with (iv) those who worked regular day shifts only. Gender differences were examined in separate stratified analyses. Adjustments were made for potential respondent and occupational confounders.Results Increased injury risk was observed among those who: switched from day to nonstandard shifts [hazard ratio (HR) 2.60, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.79-3.77], switched from nonstandard to days (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.62-3.49), and worked nonstandard shifts only (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.23-1.70). For women, work injury risk was higher among those who switched shifts (days to nonstandard HR 3.10, 95% CI 1.76-5.46; nonstandard to days HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.36-3.91), or worked nonstandard shifts only (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.44-2.37) compared to day schedules. However, for men the risk of injury was elevated only among those who switched shifts (days to nonstandard HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.35-3.51; nonstandard to days HR 2.38, 95% CI 1.41-3.95). The only significant difference between men and women were among nonstandard shift workers. ConclusionOur results suggest that changing shift types may increase work injury risk among men and women, and that the risk remains increased among women who work nonstandard shifts for a prolonged period of time. This highlights the need for awareness and implementation of health and safety programs when workers initially change shift schedules and on a regular basis to maintain worker health.

Gender-specific association between night-work exposure and type-2 diabetes: results from longitudinal study of adult health, ELSA-Brasil

“…In a study of shift work and metabolic syndrome, Puttonen et al (36) pointed out that, although the reasons for the observed gender differences are not completely known, the characteristics of the working conditions of men and women may influence the associations found. Gender differences across some industries, such as healthcare and manufacturing, may also result in different hazard exposures among men and women and influence the risk of work injury (35). Concerning the sociodemographic and behavioral aspects, gender differences were examined in this present study, but no results were observed to explain the differential odds of DM2 among men and women.…”

“…Regarding gender differences, studies of diabetes (31), metabolic syndrome (32) and cardiovascular disease (33) point to possible different impacts by sex, while Wong et al (34,35) and Puttonen et al (36) have discussed aspects relating to work schedule. In a study of shift work and metabolic syndrome, Puttonen et al (36) pointed out that, although the reasons for the observed gender differences are not completely known, the characteristics of the working conditions of men and women may influence the associations found.…”

Sex differences in the circadian regulation of sleep and waking cognition in humans

“…Extrapolation of these laboratory findings to the real world would suggest that women are more affected by night-shift work than men. Indeed, reports that have looked at sex differences in working hours, work shifts, and occupational injuries show that women seem to be at increased risk for occupational injuries during extended work shifts, nonstandard shifts, and changing shifts (61). This difference may in part reflect social factors such as family and childcare responsibilities that lead women to work longer hours and to sleep less on days off than men (62).…”

Effect of Neurocognition and Concussion on Musculoskeletal Injury Risk

“…States associated with relative neurocognitive impairment, such as after significant alterations in the timing of shift work and after periods of significantly restricted sleep, have been demonstrated on multiple occasions to negatively impact motor performance and increased risk for task error and musculoskeletal injuries in these circumstances (1,39,47). Similar studies have been performed in athletes under conditions of sleep restriction.…”