The NHS Staff Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Group has updated its shift work guidance on long shifts and night shifts.
Rhys Martin, health and safety policy officer at the SoR, worked alongside Claire Smith, at NHS Wales, to improve health and safety guidance for members across the UK.
Shift work is regulated by law and enforced in part by the Health and Safety Executive – both employers and workers have a duty to minimise risks and prevent injuries or ill health.
Working time regulations
Employers must follow working time regulations and offer night workers regular health assessments, as changes to sleeping patterns can lead to health issues over time. The worker must get a follow-up examination by a health professional when an employer is unsure if the worker is fit for night work.
More information about health assessments can be found here.
Regular night shift workers must follow these extra regulations to stay safe.
Key points from the working time regulations in a hospital setting include:
- Weekly hours: You can’t be forced to work more than 48 hours a week on average.
- Working time: This includes work-related travel, working lunches, and job-related training.
- Rest breaks: You have the right to 11 hours of uninterrupted rest between shifts and a day off each week.
- In-work rest periods: If your working day is longer than 6 hours, you should get at least a 20-minute continuous break.
For night workers:
- Daily hours: You shouldn’t work longer than 8 hours daily on average, including overtime.
- Health assessments: You’re entitled to a free health assessment, and the results must be taken seriously.
- Special hazards: If your work involves special hazards or heavy mental strain, there’s an absolute limit of eight hours on your working time each day.
'A safer working environment'
Mr Martin said: “As healthcare professionals, you also have a responsibility to practice safely and raise any concerns with your employer you might have. By following these regulations and keeping the lines of communication open with your employer, you can help create a safer working environment.
“Regular health assessments and knowing your rights and responsibilities are key to managing the challenges of shift work.”
Some parts of the working time regulations can be adjusted, for example opting out of the 48-hour weekly limit.
However others, like daily rest breaks and weekly rest periods, can’t be changed to ensure safety.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
For more detailed guidance, check the updated HSWG shift work guidance and section 27 of the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook.
The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Group (HSWG) is a sub-group of the NHS Staff Council. It is a tripartite group involving staff-side representatives from healthcare unions, management-side representatives from NHS organisations and specialist members, such as the Health and Safety Executive, and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
It works to raise standards of workplace health, safety, and wellbeing in healthcare organisations; to promote a safer working environment for all healthcare staff; and to promote best practice across both the NHS and the Independent sector.