IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Effects of 12-hour shifts on the health and safety of petroleum refinery operators

Abstract

This project was conducted in a refinery where operators have been working rotating 12-hour shifts for 20 years. The initial phase of the research consisted of task analysis and chrono-ergonomic observation over 24-hours, questionnaire administration to operators and their spouses, analysis of medical and absenteeism records, and interview of supervisors and operators no longer working rotating shifts. The data collected was used to identify and quantify the extent of shift-related problems in the fields of health, safety, work, reliability, management, and social and family life.

It was concluded that operators are overworked and inadequate in number and that problems exist with regard to sleep, fatigue, desynchronisation of family and social life, and, among less resistant operators, health. Modifications of work organisation and schedule were proposed.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0093-0690
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 1997
Team:
  • Madeleine Bourdouxhe (IRSST)
  • Raymond Baril (IRSST)
  • Denise Granger (IRSST)
  • Serge Guertin (Ergo Norme inc.)
  • Yvon Quéinnec (Université de Toulouse II)
  • Marcel Simard (Université de Montréal)
  • Paul Massicotte (IRSST)