What is HSG256?
HSG256 "Managing Shift Work: Health and Safety Guidance" helps employers understand and manage the health and safety risks associated with shift work, particularly night work and rotating shift patterns.
Shift work can disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue, health problems, and increased accident risk. This guidance provides practical advice on designing shift systems and managing the associated risks.
Who Needs This Document?
This guidance is essential for employers in sectors where shift work is common:
- Care providers - Residential homes, nursing homes, hospitals
- Hospitality - Hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs
- Retail - Supermarkets, 24-hour stores
- Manufacturing - Factories running extended hours
- Transport and logistics - Drivers, warehouse workers
- Security - Guards, patrol officers
- Emergency services - Police, fire, ambulance support staff
- Any employer with staff working outside normal daytime hours
Key Topics Covered
Health Effects of Shift Work
The guidance explains how shift work can affect health:
Short-term effects:
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Reduced alertness and concentration
- Mood disturbance and irritability
- Digestive problems
Long-term effects:
- Sleep disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Mental health issues
- Possible increased cancer risk (night work classified as probably carcinogenic)
Fatigue and Safety
Fatigue from shift work increases accident risk:
- Reduced reaction times
- Impaired decision-making
- Microsleeps and lapses
- Higher error rates
The period between 2am and 6am is particularly high-risk for fatigue-related incidents.
Legal Requirements
Several regulations apply to shift workers:
Working Time Regulations 1998:
- Maximum 48-hour average working week (can be opted out)
- Night workers limited to 8 hours in 24 (average)
- Health assessments for night workers
- Minimum daily and weekly rest periods
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:
- General duty to ensure health and safety
- Fatigue is a workplace hazard that must be managed
Management Regulations 1999:
- Risk assessment must consider fatigue risks
Shift System Design
The guidance covers designing better shift systems:
Rotation direction:
- Forward rotation (morning → afternoon → night) is better than backward rotation
- Allows more recovery time between shifts
Shift length:
- 8-hour shifts generally safer than 12-hour shifts
- Longer shifts need longer recovery periods
- Avoid demanding work in extended shifts
Number of consecutive nights:
- Limit consecutive night shifts (2-4 nights recommended)
- More nights increase fatigue and health effects
Rest periods:
- Minimum 11 hours between shifts
- At least 24 hours after night shift block
- Regular weekends off
Managing Night Work
Specific guidance for night workers:
- Offer health assessments before starting and regularly thereafter
- Consider fitness for night work
- Provide facilities for rest breaks and food
- Ensure adequate lighting
- Monitor for signs of fatigue
How This Applies to You
Step 1: Identify Shift Work Risks
Review your shift patterns:
- Do workers work nights or rotating shifts?
- How long are shifts?
- How many consecutive shifts are worked?
- What rest periods are provided?
- Are there adequate breaks during shifts?
Step 2: Assess the Risks
Consider:
- Tasks performed (safety-critical work is higher risk)
- Individual factors (age, health, commute time)
- Environmental factors (lighting, temperature, noise)
- Workload during different shifts
Include fatigue risks in your risk assessments.
Step 3: Design Better Schedules
Apply good practice principles:
| Principle | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Rotation direction | Forward (mornings → afternoons → nights) |
| Consecutive nights | Maximum 2-4 before days off |
| Shift length | Prefer 8 hours; limit 12-hour shifts |
| Rest between shifts | Minimum 11 hours |
| Start times | Not too early (before 6am increases fatigue) |
| Weekends | Regular weekends off |
| Notice | Give adequate notice of schedules |
Step 4: Support Shift Workers
Provide:
- Information on managing sleep and fatigue
- Health assessments for night workers
- Adequate break facilities and canteen access
- Good lighting in work areas
- Flexibility where possible for personal circumstances
Step 5: Monitor and Review
- Track sickness absence and accident rates by shift
- Seek feedback from shift workers
- Review shift patterns regularly
- Act on any concerns raised
Special Considerations
Care Sector
Care homes and nursing homes commonly use shift work. Consider:
- Fatigue risks when providing care
- Handover procedures between shifts
- Lone working on night shifts
- Manual handling risks when fatigued
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, and bars often have late-night working:
- Transport home after late shifts
- Alcohol service while fatigued
- Kitchen and food safety when tired
- Young workers (additional restrictions apply)
Transport and Driving
Fatigue while driving is extremely dangerous:
- Drivers should not work excessive hours
- Adequate rest before driving
- Consider commute time after shifts
- Never allow driving when clearly fatigued
Related Guidance
- Workplace safety topic - General employer duties
- Manual handling - Risks increased by fatigue
- Risk assessment guide - Including fatigue in assessments
- Managing for health and safety (HSG65) - Systematic safety management
- Health surveillance (HSG61) - Night worker health assessments
Official HSE document: HSG256 on HSE website