Night Operations

Dangers of Shift Work According to Occupational Hazards Magazine: According to Occupational Hazards Magazine: Work related injuries increase 15.2% for swing shift Work related injuries increase 15.2% for swing shift Work related injuries increase 27.9% for night shift Work related injuries increase 27.9% for night shift Injury numbers are compared to day- shift operations Injury numbers are compared to day- shift operations Employees are 36% more likely to be injured on their fourth consecutive night shift. Employees are 36% more likely to be injured on their fourth consecutive night shift.

Biological effects As one's body moves through each 24-hour cycle, it experiences fluctuations in temperature, wakefulness, gastric activity, heart rate, blood pressure and hormone levels. This flow of body activity is known as the circadian rhythm. These rhythms are important for optimal functioning of the many processes vital to health. When the normal circadian rhythms are disrupted by lack of sleep or by crossing time zones, it may take days or weeks for the body to readjust. As one's body moves through each 24-hour cycle, it experiences fluctuations in temperature, wakefulness, gastric activity, heart rate, blood pressure and hormone levels. This flow of body activity is known as the circadian rhythm. These rhythms are important for optimal functioning of the many processes vital to health. When the normal circadian rhythms are disrupted by lack of sleep or by crossing time zones, it may take days or weeks for the body to readjust.

Biological effects Among the most common health problems are gastrointestinal complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn. These ailments are two to three times more frequent among shift workers. Among the most common health problems are gastrointestinal complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn. These ailments are two to three times more frequent among shift workers. Other factors include disturbed sleep, poor eating habits, overeating, excessive coffee drinking, smoking and psychological stress. Other factors include disturbed sleep, poor eating habits, overeating, excessive coffee drinking, smoking and psychological stress.

Short Term Operations Increased risk as crews jump from Day to Night Shift. Increased risk as crews jump from Day to Night Shift. Supervision needs to be aware of the number of hours already worked by the crew. Supervision needs to be aware of the number of hours already worked by the crew. If possible, schedule transition day on front and back end of work If possible, schedule transition day on front and back end of work

Work area and equipment should be well lit

PPE Requirements ANSI Type III or full reflective vests Increased reflectivity on hard hats. Flashlights with traffic wands when working around equipment. Light colored clothing if feasible.

Set up light plants for maximum illumination. Train workers on where to stand to increase visibility All equipment should be completely “lit-up” to increase visibility.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS MINIMUM ILLUMINATION MINIMUM ILLUMINATION Foot-candles:Area or Operation Foot-candles:Area or Operation 5General construction area lighting 5General construction area lighting 3General construction areas, concrete placement, excavation and waste area, walkways, active storage area, loading platforms, refueling and field maintenance areas. 3General construction areas, concrete placement, excavation and waste area, walkways, active storage area, loading platforms, refueling and field maintenance areas. 5Indoors-warehouses, corridors, hallways and exits. 5Indoors-warehouses, corridors, hallways and exits. 5Tunnels, shafts and general underground work areas - (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is required at tunnel and shaft heading during drilling, mucking and scaling. Bureau of Mines approved cap lights shall be acceptable for use in the tunnel heading.) 5Tunnels, shafts and general underground work areas - (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is required at tunnel and shaft heading during drilling, mucking and scaling. Bureau of Mines approved cap lights shall be acceptable for use in the tunnel heading.) 10General construction plant and shops (e.g., batch plants, screening plants, mechanical and electrical equipment rooms, carpenter shops, rigging lofts and active storerooms, barracks or living quarters, locker or dressing rooms, mess halls and indoor toilets and workrooms). 10General construction plant and shops (e.g., batch plants, screening plants, mechanical and electrical equipment rooms, carpenter shops, rigging lofts and active storerooms, barracks or living quarters, locker or dressing rooms, mess halls and indoor toilets and workrooms). 30First aid stations, infirmaries and offices. 30First aid stations, infirmaries and offices.

Light Plant Safety Train employees on proper set-up and pinch points Train employees on proper set-up and pinch points Look for OHP Lines or other obstructions. Look for OHP Lines or other obstructions. Do not point into oncoming traffic Do not point into oncoming traffic Understand the safety requirements for changing bulbs. Understand the safety requirements for changing bulbs.

Planning for Success Shadows in the work area make access difficult Shadows in the work area make access difficult Preparation for night operations should address access and material handling prior so staging materials and equipment. Preparation for night operations should address access and material handling prior so staging materials and equipment.

Increase Visibility -Light it up!