Managing Extended and Unusual Work Shifts
Work schedules beyond the traditional eight-hour shift are increasingly common, particularly in emergency response, disaster recovery, and high-demand industries.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Feb 07, 2025
Work schedules beyond the traditional eight-hour shift are increasingly common, particularly in emergency response, disaster recovery, and high-demand industries. While extended and unusual shifts help maximize resources, they also pose risks to worker health, safety, and productivity.
A standard work shift consists of up to eight consecutive hours during the day, five days a week, with adequate rest periods. Any schedule exceeding these norms, whether through longer hours, consecutive workdays, or overnight shifts—is considered extended or unusual. These shifts are often necessary in emergencies, such as disaster response or security threats, where continuous monitoring is required.
Extended shifts can lead to physical, mental, and emotional stress. Fatigue, sleep disruption, and increased risk of errors or accidents are common concerns. Symptoms of fatigue include sleepiness, irritability, reduced alertness, and an increased susceptibility to illness. Studies suggest that adjusting to night shifts can take up to 10 days, and many workers never fully acclimate.
Additionally, prolonged exposure to hazardous environments may exceed safety limits. Protective equipment has limitations, and excessive wear time can contribute to heat-related illnesses and exhaustion.
Employers should limit extended shifts when possible, ensuring workers receive adequate rest and recovery time. Supervisors must recognize fatigue symptoms and provide additional breaks, especially for physically demanding tasks. Creating quiet rest areas and implementing administrative controls—such as rotating shifts and monitoring exposure to hazardous substances—can help reduce risks.
By prioritizing worker health and safety, employers can maintain productivity while minimizing the negative effects of extended work schedules.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.