Long workhours, work scheduling and work-related injuries among construction workers in the United States

Abstract

Objectives The objectives of this study were (i) to examine work scheduling in construction and (ii) to establish whether there is any connection between workhours and safety outcomes among construction workers.Methods The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort (NLSY79), was used for the data analysis.Odds ratios were used to measure the risk of work-related injury in different worker groups.Results The findings showed that (i) construction workers started work earlier, worked longer days and fewer weeks a year, and were more likely to hold multiple jobs and change jobs than their nonconstruction counterparts and (ii) long workhours and irregular work schedules were significantly associated with a higher work-related injury rate after control for possible confounders. ConclusionThe results provide evidence that overtime and irregular work scheduling have an adverse effect on worker safety.

Prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among construction workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…When other variables are held constant, construction workers working for shorter duration had significantly lower work-related injuries. Similar results were reported by other studies, the risk of injury is associated with occupations of long working hours (Dong, 2005;Dong et al, 2015).…”

“…The impact of occupational health and safety hazards faced by construction workers in developing countries is 10 to 20 times higher than those in Industrialized countries (Dong, 2005). The poor occupational safety situation among construction workers in developing countries are because of unsafe working environments such as poor design of equipment and work stations; lack of personal protective equipment and inadequate training of workers.…”

Workhours in relation to work stress, recovery and health

“…Recent epidemiologic evidence shows that both daily and weekly workhours are directly related to an increase in the rate of occupational accidents and injuries and that the relation is not dependent on age, gender, occupation, or the sector of industry (35)(36)(37). An analysis of aggregated data showed an exponential increase of accident risk from 8 up to 16 hours at work.…”

“…Although epidemiologic studies indicate that overtime and extended workdays are associated with impaired health (29) and accidents (36)(37)(38), there is sparse evidence that a decrease in the average number of workhours improves health. Those who work overtime are often in a position with high demands, but also with high decision latitude (16)(17)(18).…”

Working Hours and Cardiovascular Disease in Korean Workers: A Case‐control Study

“…Previous studies have described the negative impact on health of long working hours. Occupational injuries and accidents increase with long working hours 3,4) , as do the incidences of sleep disorders, depression, musculoskeletal diseases, and cardiovascular diseases 5−7) . Some studies have also reported that long working hours negatively affect heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood pressure.…”