Working time: Its impact on safety and health (2003), by A. Spurgeon
Flexible working time arrangements have become increasingly important in today's rapidly changing economy. The diversity of working time arrangements that are emerging — such as a complex array of shift patterns, annualized hours of work and compressed workweeks — raise concerns about their potential impacts on workers' safety and health.

This publication examines the effects of these emerging flexible working time patterns on the occupational safety, health and well-being of workers. It reviews these effects for each work pattern, including sleep disturbance and fatigue, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal and mental health problems, as well as accidents and injuries. The report also discusses a range of intervention strategies for enhancing workers' health and safety, including reorganizing work schedules, modifying the working environment, and providing individual assistance such as counselling and stress management. These specific strategies are incorporated within a comprehensive framework for effective risk management. This useful diagnostic tool is designed to enable enterprises to identify workplace hazards, assess the associated risks, and develop appropriate, customized solutions.

This publication highlights for employers, workers and their organizations, as well as government agencies and health professionals, important issues that must be addressed in order to organize work in ways that are both productive and conducive to enhancing safety and health in the workplace.