Hi Learned friends

I have not had the shift issue for a while but wondered what people thought should be considered regarding shift pattern changes from a safety perspective. I am referring to a one shift of 8 - 5 to two shifts of 6 - 2 and 2 - 10pm

Obviously it will mean working in darkness on some times of the year as most of this work is outside and would include a fork truck.

I am also wondering if there is ever a maximum amount of people ie spaces that include outside work because I would have thought it is mainly about the safeness of said people moving about ie truck pedestrian interaction and lighting but is there any other considerations to bear in mind that people are aware of ?

Alan

Any traffic pedestrian interface risk assessment should assume that the work will be done in the dark at times, the exact requirements will have to be determined locally but see HSG 136 for some good guidance. In particular moving from lit to unlit areas and vice versa needs to be considered.

The shift pattern you describe wold not normally require much of a change in sleep patterns for most people but it is always best to assume that people do not pay attention to what is around them whilst traversing any area with traffic and plan accordingly. Keep traffic and pedestrians separated as much as possible.

There is HSE advice on shift work as well but it is mainly aimed for night shift workers, see HSG 256. I've used this to advise our night shift and new night shift workers are issued with the advice given in this guidance. Note that this is for a 10pm-6am shift.