Shift Work the Aging Workforce

1. Light Speed EffectLight Speed Effect

2. Shift Work Topics Why shift work is increasing Symptoms of shift work Biological Clock Treatment methods Drugs Circadian Lighting Systems Workers Compensation Issues

3. Why Shift Work is Increasing Customer demand services/products Cost of Capital Fewer workers Historically low unemployment rate Lower birth rates

4. Shift Work Issues The data suggest rather strongly that night shift operations often have: Lower productivity rates Higher risk of accidents Equipment damage Employee Injury Diminished product quality Lower quality of life Lower expectations

5. Sleepy (Fatigued) Employee “It isn’t so much what an employee does wrong when they are sleepy it is more a problem of what they fail to do.” Errors or omission are more common

6. Shift Work Injury Issues "Night and rotating shift workers are at excessive risk for involvement in accidents and serious injuries on the job." - (Paul D. Cleary, PhD, "The Prevalence and Health Impact of Shiftwork," American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 76, No. 10 (October 1986), p. 1225.)

7. Shift Work "Researchers who investigate the complex mechanism of the body's biological clock unanimously agree that rotating shifts create the greatest health risks, because they cause the most severe disturbances."

8. Shift Work "Rotating shift workers, who not only work at unconventional hours but who move from shift to shift, clearly encounter the most difficulty in adjusting their psycho-biological rhythms and patterns to their work schedules. Shift work may well pose a distinct health hazard for certain rotating shift workers."

9. Shift Work "Of all shift workers, rotators seem to fare the worst. Our research, along with the findings of others, identifies shift rotation (three shift) as a scheduling system that imposes excessive physical and psychological costs on shift workers. In certain instances, decreased life expectancy could be a reasonable expectation."

10. Circadian Rhythm “Biological Clock” “Scientists have discovered that this precisely timed 24-hour repeating process (circadian rhythm) is actually controlled by a tiny area of the brain” Elevates body temperature Releases hormones Cognitive ability

11. The Best & Worst of Times Worst time is 3 to 6 AM “Zombie Zone” Nodding off Non-attentiveness Irresistible sleep Errors in judgment Best time is 4 to 6 PM

12. Injury Trends in Shift Work The injury risk did not seem to be higher on the night shift in terms of frequency,  but more severe accidents occurred on the night than on day shifts.  More injuries were observed at the end of the shift, at the 2nd part of the shift block, and in the summer.  The accident rate was lower on weekends, especially on Sundays.

13. Circadian Lighting Systems Use of light therapy Varies the lighting Approximates intensity or morning or evening sunlight Adjusts the “biological clock” Moves “sleep time” to off hours

14. Other Methods of Control Drug use Caffeine No doze No-Shift-Lag

15. Workers Compensation Issues Labor Law - Shift Work Mal-Adaptation Syndrome Not Considered a Work Injury - Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits Denied by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Insomnia due to shift work is a workplace injury, workers' compensation tribunal rules

16. Workers Compensation Issues "The Worker's severe cognitive deficit meets the definition of "disablement" under the Act. ... We find that the cognitive deficit had its origins in the Worker's periods of employment. His symptoms arose when he worked rotating shifts, and he was most symptomatic when he worked the night shift. But for the assignment to work outside his ... sleep-wake cycle, it appears on the evidence that the Worker's symptoms would not have manifested themselves."

17. The Weeding Out Process We do not adjust well even over time Average one to two hours less sleep a night Loss is cumulative Many leave the job Quit, termination or move to days Those that stay simply find ways to cope

19. What Have we learned The issue is not going to go away There are negative impacts Treatment methods are limited Workers compensations cases are sure to increase Research will continue Safety Skills

20. The Aging Workforce Topics Why an Aging Workforce? Health & Safety and workers compensation Issues Bad news and good news What can we do?

21. Aging Workforce Trends By 2005, 15 percent of the workforce will be age 55 and older, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It appears this estimate is too low Over 20% expected by AARP Lack of workers Desire to stay in the workforce Baby boomer effect Older – Younger - Older

22. Older Workers Intend to Work longer Like to work Older workers healthier than retirees Employer incentives Work adjustments Altered work assignments Technology advances Part-time work Phased in retirement

23. BLS Report Older workers have fewer injuries but when an injury occurs the severity of the injury and the recovery time are significantly increased Ergonomic type injuries expected to increase Workers compensation cost are expected to rise

24. Older Workforce Issues An attitude and background survey, along with accident and injury reports, were reviewed for workers in a nuclear power facility with the goal of determining the relationship between an aging workforce and the rate of injuries. The study subjects included 209 workers at a nuclear power facility. Older workers experienced more days injured than younger workers. This was not caused by a greater number of injuries, but a longer recovery time, once injured. Older workers reported being less physically fit than younger workers, but the older workers appeared to compensate for their reduced physical capability by being more aware of and sensitive to safety in the workplace.

25. Bad News No place to hide Absenteeism rates for both work related and non work related injuries are higher For work related injuries the average number of days lost for all workers was 5 for older workers the average number of days off was 10

26. Good News Fewer injuries Self selection Technology is gaining Better healthcare – better health Flexible hours Safety Skills Training (not just awareness) is now available

27. What Should We Do? Aggressive automation for modification or elimination of high risk tasks Automation combined with more aggressive ergonomics programs targeted at productivity and quality improvements along with improved safety Wellness opportunities Flexible work schedules