When dealing with night work, the core risks of fatigue, reduced visibility, and slower emergency response are amplified after dark.
Here are my recommendations when working at height during night shift:
1. Provide balloon lights or light towers with diffusing lenses provide even, 360-degree light, drastically reducing shadows and improving depth perception on the work platform.
2. Mandate the use of the highest-grade Class 3 reflective vests or jackets, ensuring reflectivity across the torso and limbs.
3. Issue workers with high-quality headlamps that are non-glare and integrated into the helmet to ensure light follows the worker's line of sight, especially important when inspecting anchor points or connecting lanyards.
4. Implement stricter controls on shift duration and mandatory breaks. Ensure no worker does a double shift or excessive overtime leading into a night shift.
5. Conduct quick, documented pre-shift check-ins on night shifts that specifically address fatigue, use of personal medication, or illness, rather than just a quick headcount.
6. Utilise glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape on critical items like: Scaffold standards and access points (ladders), leading edges and guardrails, the handles of rescue gear storage boxes.
7. For highly repetitive or high-risk work at height, implement short, frequent task rotation (e.g., every 2 hours) to keep workers mentally engaged and prevent the onset of micro-sleeps or reduced vigilance.
8. Provide access to healthy, slow-release energy foods (protein/complex carbs) instead of just high-sugar snacks/drinks, which can lead to a 'crash' later in the shift.
9. Ensure the appointed Rescue Team for the night shift is fully kitted and on-site (not on-call) and has recently drilled the specific rescue scenarios for the structures being worked on.
10. Utilise two-way radio systems with a dedicated emergency channel, ensuring all night-shift supervisors and the control room are tuned in for immediate, clear communication.
Regards,
-Engr. Jerome Sancho Cruz