Working hours, health, and safety in the petroleum industry

Background: There is limited knowledge concerning the effects of shift work and night work on safety, work ability and health. This is partly due to the complexity of this field of research. Both (a) the duration of the work period, (b) the actual work one does during the work period and (c) the time of day one works, is important for safety and health. In addition, there are (d) conditions in each individual like circadian rhythms and tolerance for changes in circadian rhythms. Moreover, there is a lack of studies of specific shift-work parameters and that examine how working hours and various influences work together. The effects of long working hours are different if work related exposure (e.g. time pressure, noise) is high compared to low. Moreover, shift work may alter the individuals’ tolerance of strain.

Aims: to answer three main questions:
1. How are sleep and wakefulness affected by different working hour schedules?
2. How is safety affected by working hour schedules under different working conditions?
3. How is health, absenteeism and work ability affected by different working hour schedules under different working conditions?
4. Two research institutions (the University of Bergen and the Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health) were awarded grants. The research institutions formed a joint project to combine competences and resources.
The project measures both working hour schedules, work content, work environment, attitudes, sleep quality as well as consequences, like sleep disturbances, health, and safety behavior. The project can therefore provide knowledge of how various factors interact as well as of protective factors.
STAMI (NIOH) has studied factors contributing to mental health (distress). After completion of publication of these studies, other health outcomes will be examined.

Project page in Norwegian