Citation

Ryan B, Wilson JR, Sharples S, Kenvyn F, Clarke T. Ergonomics 2008; 51(11): 1656-1671.

Affiliation

Institute for Occupational Ergonomics, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK. brendan.ryan@nottingham.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140130802331591

PMID

18941973

Abstract

This paper describes rail employee views on shift-work systems obtained from administration of the Rail Ergonomics Questionnaire (REQUEST) to a large sample of rail professionals in Great Britain, achieving a response rate of 83%. Results from signallers, the largest occupational grouping in the survey (n = 3230), are presented. ANOVA has been used to investigate the effects of different aspects of the shift patterns (the length of shift and the speed and direction of rotation of shifts) and the effects of age on the ratings of satisfaction with the shift system. The findings from the analyses indicate preferences for the 12-h shift system over the 7-9-h rotating shift system. There were no main effects of the direction of rotation of shifts, though there were significant interactions between the direction of rotation of shifts, the numbers of consecutive shifts and the age of respondents. There is a need for clear data addressing the impact on workers of key shift-related parameters such as shift length, direction of rotation of shifts, numbers of consecutive shifts and personal factors such as age. This paper presents findings of the effects of these key shift and personal parameters and their interactions on respondents' ratings of satisfaction with the shift system, using data collected with REQUEST in a national survey of rail signallers.

Language: en