Night OperationsNight Operations

Dangers of Shift WorkDangers of Shift Work According to According to

Occupational Hazards Occupational Hazards Magazine:Magazine: Work related injuries Work related injuries

increase 15.2% for increase 15.2% for swing shift swing shift

Work related injuries Work related injuries increase 27.9% for night increase 27.9% for night shiftshift

Injury numbers are Injury numbers are compared to day- shift compared to day- shift operationsoperations

Employees are 36% Employees are 36% more likely to be injured more likely to be injured on their fourth on their fourth consecutive night shift.consecutive night shift.

Biological effectsBiological effects

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

Biological effectsBiological effects

Among the most common health problems are Among the most common health problems are gastrointestinal complaints, including gastrointestinal complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn. These ailments abdominal pain and heartburn. These ailments are two to three times more frequent among shift are two to three times more frequent among shift workers.workers.

Other factors include disturbed sleep, poor Other factors include disturbed sleep, poor eating habits, overeating, excessive coffee eating habits, overeating, excessive coffee drinking, smoking and psychological stress. drinking, smoking and psychological stress.

Short Term OperationsShort Term Operations

Increased risk as Increased risk as crews jump from Day crews jump from Day to Night Shift.to Night Shift.

Supervision needs to Supervision needs to be aware of the be aware of the number of hours number of hours already worked by already worked by the crew.the crew.

If possible, schedule If possible, schedule transition day on front transition day on front and back end of workand back end of work

Work area and equipment should Work area and equipment should be well litbe 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 REQUIREMENTSLIGHTING REQUIREMENTS MINIMUM ILLUMINATIONMINIMUM ILLUMINATION Foot-candlesFoot-candles:: Area or OperationArea or Operation

55 General construction area lightingGeneral construction area lighting 33 General construction areas, concrete placement, General construction areas, concrete placement,

excavation excavation and waste area, walkways, active storage and waste area, walkways, active storage area, loading area, loading platforms, refueling and field maintenance platforms, refueling and field maintenance areas.areas.

55 Indoors-warehouses, corridors, hallways and exits.Indoors-warehouses, corridors, hallways and exits. 55 Tunnels, shafts and general underground work areas Tunnels, shafts and general underground work areas

- - (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is required at (Exception: Minimum of 10 foot-candles is required at tunnel tunnel and shaft heading during drilling, mucking and and shaft heading during drilling, mucking and scaling. scaling. Bureau of Mines approved cap lights shall be Bureau of Mines approved cap lights shall be acceptable for acceptable for use in the tunnel heading.)use in the tunnel heading.)

1010 General construction plant and shops (e.g., batch plants, General construction plant and shops (e.g., batch plants, screening plants, mechanical and electrical equipment screening plants, mechanical and electrical equipment rooms, carpenter shops, rigging lofts and active rooms, carpenter shops, rigging lofts and active

storerooms, storerooms, barracks or living quarters, locker or dressing barracks or living quarters, locker or dressing rooms, mess rooms, mess halls and indoor toilets and workrooms).halls and indoor toilets and workrooms).

3030 First aid stations, infirmaries and offices.First aid stations, infirmaries and offices.

Light Plant SafetyLight Plant Safety

Train employees on Train employees on proper set-up and proper set-up and pinch pointspinch points

Look for OHP Lines Look for OHP Lines or other obstructions.or other obstructions.

Do not point into Do not point into oncoming trafficoncoming traffic

Understand the safety Understand the safety requirements for requirements for changing bulbs.changing bulbs.

Planning for SuccessPlanning for Success

Shadows in the Shadows in the work area make work area make access difficultaccess difficult

Preparation for Preparation for night operations night operations should address should address access and access and material handling material handling prior so staging prior so staging materials and materials and equipment.equipment.

Increase Visibility -Light it up!Increase Visibility -Light it up!