The impact of a change in rotating shift schedules: A comparison of the effects of 8, 10 and 14 h work shifts

Shift work, sleep, and sleepiness - differences between shift schedules and systems

“…A more recent intervention study by Mitchell & Williamson (59) showed very similar results among a group of employees at an electrical power station (ie, sleep and sleepiness did not deteriorate for the 12-hour shift system). Paley et al (60) conducted an intervention study among firefighters comparing the change from a rotating 8-hour shift system to (i) a 2-shift system with 10-hour days and (ii) a 14-hour night shift. The 2-shift system with extended shifts neither decreased sleep length nor increased sleepiness.…”

Sleep Problems, Depression, Substance Use, Social Bonding, and Quality of Life in Professional Firefighters

“…However, in many fire departments, extended rotating shift of 10 hour (h) days / 14 h nights are common instead of the standard three 8 h-shift rotating schedule. Evidence suggests that although extended rotating shifts do not add any additional health hazards beyond that of the standard 8 h shift [3], fatigue, decreased alertness, and poor mood scores were more prevalent among firefighters working night shifts [4]. In fact, working time was found to be more predictive of impaired alertness and increased occupational accidents.…”

Effects of a modified shift work organization and traffic load on air traffic controllers’ sleep and alertness during work and non-work activities

“…Some findings are however contradictory, in particular concerning densified work schedules (fewer work-days but longer shifts). Thus, working four days during 10h vs. five days during 8h did not affect ATCOs' performance (Schroeder et al, 1998), nor when a forward-rotating 10h day/14h night system replaced a backward 8h rotating system, despite worsened sleepiness and mood across the extended work shifts (Paley et al, 1998). Likewise, total sleep duration did not differ between fast 12h rotations and weekly rotations of 8h, but night shift sleep decreased persistently while self-rated sleep need increased (di Milia, 1998).…”