Time for a shift in health and safety attitudes

Long hours and poorly designed working arrangements are putting shift workers at risk of fatigue, accidents, injuries and ill health, a new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) book has said.

While there is no specific health and safety legislation on shift work, the HSE points out that employers have general health and safety duties towards their employees and others, and must remove or control the risks of fatigue by properly organising and planning shift work.

Managing shift work: health and safety guidance is available from HSE Books, price £9.95 – call 01787 881165 or visit www.hsebooks.co.uk