Shift Analysis

Analysis and assessment of shift schedules

The fatigue levels associated with an organisation’s shift schedules can be objectively determined using computerised shiftwork analysis software. This software, which has been extensively developed by a leading european research centre, with whom we collaborate, can be used to predict the fatigue levels for each hour of work in a schedule, based on:

• The duration of duty and rest periods 

• The time of day that duty and rest periods occur

• The history of duty and rest periods over the previous 7 days

• The biological limits to recovery

This analysis enables us to identify ‘fatigue hotspots’; that is, parts of a shift schedule that are associated with a high degree of fatigue risk.  Also, by relating these back to times and dates of accidents or incidents, we can also estimate the extent to which they could have been attributed to fatigue. 

Finally, we make recommendations regarding the existing or proposed shift schedules, to help to minimise the fatigue levels associated with the shift pattern.