Long work hours and irregular work shifts are common in our society. Many American workers spend over 40 hours a week at work and almost 15 million work full time on evening, night, rotating or other irregular shifts. Work schedules like these may cause worker fatigue.

Shift workers may be scheduled to work days, evenings, nights and/or on a rotating or on-call basis. They may work extended shifts (more than 8 hours long), rotating or irregular shifts, or consecutive shifts resulting in more than the typical 40-hour work week. Long work hours may increase the risk of injuries and accidents and can contribute to poor health and worker fatigue. Studies show that long work hours can result in increased levels of stress, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and illness. It is important to recognize the symptoms of worker fatigue and its potential impact on each worker's safety and health and on the safety of co-workers.

This web page focuses on worker fatigue and includes information about the impact of demanding work schedules and measures workers and employers can take to prevent worker fatigue and fatigue-related injuries and illnesses by providing or participating in education, training and fatigue management programs.

Additional Information

• Plain Language About Shift Work. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH Pub. No. 94-145, July 1997). Provides basic facts about shiftwork and ways to make shiftwork life easier.
• Work Schedules: Shift Work and Long Work Hours. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Provides links to NIOSH publications and other resources that address demanding work schedules.