Effects of 8 and 12 hour non-rotating shift schedules for security and protective services workers

Shiftwork is a major feature of working life in today’s world. Increasing the workday length is a new trend in alternative work schedules. The features of a shift system operation can have an impact on sleep, alertness, and the well-being of shift workers. The objective of this study is to evaluate security and protective services employees working in non-rotating shift systems of 8- hour and 12-hour schedules. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Public Safety Department staff was studied to examine how non-rotating shift schedules affect sleep, alertness, and wellness under five different work schedules. A survey instrument, approved by the Institutional Review Board was used to acquire data from the participants (n=39). The survey included 29 questions covering alertness, sleep habits, and wellness factors. The survey data were statistically analyzed using single factor ANOVA to compare a 12 h compressed work schedule to an 8 h regular work schedule. The results of the study strongly support (p<0.10) the hypothesis that a decreasing level of alertness, and increasing sleep and health problems are associated with a non-rotating 12 h shift. These findings are similar to those of previous researchers highlighting the negative effects of a 12 h rotating shift on workers.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering - (M.S.)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Year

2017

Author dc:creator

• Aydin, Zuleyha

Contributors dc:contributor

• Arijit K. Sengupta
• Athanassios K. Bladikas
• Samuel Lieber

• Shiftwork
• Impact on sleep
• Impact on alertness
• Impact on well-being
• Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/38

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.njit.edu:theses-1037