Night work, long work weeks, and risk of accidental injuries. A register-based study

Scand J Work Environ Health. 2017 Nov 1;43(6):578-586. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3668. Epub 2017 Sep 15.

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this study were to (i) investigate the association between night work or long work weeks and the risk of accidental injuries and (ii) test if the association is affected by age, sex or socioeconomic status. Methods The study population was drawn from the Danish version of the European Labour Force Survey from 1999-2013. The current study was based on 150 438 participants (53% men and 47% women). Data on accidental injuries were obtained at individual level from national health registers. We included all 20-59-year-old employees working ≥32 hours a week at the time of the interview. We used Poisson regression to estimate the relative rates (RR) of accidental injuries as a function of night work or long work weeks (>40 hours per week) adjusted for year of interview, sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), industry, and weekly working hours or night work. Age, sex and SES were included as two-way interactions. Results We observed 23 495 cases of accidental injuries based on 273 700 person years at risk. Exposure to night work was statistically significantly associated with accidental injuries (RR 1.11, 99% CI 1.06-1.17) compared to participants with no recent night work. No associations were found between long work weeks (>40 hours) and accidental injuries. Conclusion We found a modest increased risk of accidental injuries when reporting night work. No associations between long work weeks and risk of accidental injuries were observed. Age, sex and SES showed no trends when included as two-way interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents / statistics & numerical data*
  • Denmark
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Shift Work Schedule / adverse effects
  • Shift Work Schedule / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Schedule Tolerance* / physiology
  • Wounds and Injuries*