Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Are any of these statements true in the workplace?

Yes

No

Many employees work shifts that include nightshifts

Working overtime/long shifts is common

Back-to-back shift working is common

Breaks during shifts are short and do not provide a good rest

Some people have to drive a long way to work, work long hours, then drive home

Some shifts start very early (before 7:00)

Shifts rotate 'backwards' (nights, evenings, day shifts)

Shifts rotate forwards on a slow pattern

Safety critical work is often done at:

- a ‘circadian low point'

- two to four hours into a shift

- at the end of a shift

- following mealtimes

- just before or just after a break (crew member may be tired just before the break, not fully alert after the break)

Work is mainly very boring and uneventful

Work is done:

- in a hot environment

- where the lighting is low

- where it's fairly comfortable

Shift workers don't have any say in the design of shift patterns

Shift workers' family and friends don't provide much support for their unusual working hours

There is no realistic support from employers on how to handle problems caused by shift working (e.g. 'education', briefings, counselling)

Fitness for duty is not checked - especially the amount of sleep someone has had before starting a shift

Some employees 'moonlight' during scheduled rest periods between shifts

There is an ageing workforce working nights or long hours

People rely on tea, coffee or other stimulants to stay alert

The shift system has been designed entirely by the workforce

Some people need to take unofficial 'naps' to keep working

Yes

No

Do you regularly lose one or two hours' sleep when working shifts?

Is the quality of sleep you get generally poor - e.g. frequently interrupted (by noise or bright light)?

Do you sometimes have to work on safety-critical tasks at a 'low point' in the day, e.g. early hours of the morning; mid to late afternoon or after a meal?

Do you regularly work long shifts - e.g. over 12 hours?

Do you have enough breaks during the shift?

Are the breaks long enough?

Are rest periods between shifts long enough to recover from the previous shift (at least 12 hours)?

Can you rest properly (or even nap) during breaks?

Do you feel generally drowsy a lot of the time?

When changing from night shifts to day shifts, do you feel 'rough' for the first few days?

Are you noticeably absent-minded or forgetful at work or do you find it hard to concentrate?

Do you sometimes feel that you just can't move; or don't want to?

Do you suffer from a lot of heartburn, indigestion or a generally upset stomach?

Do you find it difficult to get a good undisturbed sleep between shifts?

At work, do you:

Often find it hard to concentrate, make clear decisions or take in and act on information?

Have more than occasional lapses of attention or memory?

Find your reaction times are slow (for example, responding to an alarm or a threat that builds up in your workplace)?

Make lots of errors?

Occasionally fall asleep at work - momentarily or for several minutes?

Find that you are often irritable?

Do you have the opportunity and facilities to rest properly (or even nap) during breaks?