Shift Work and Risk of Occupational, Transport and Leisure-time Injury: Systematic Review & Meta-analysis
Summary
This register-based case-crossover study analyzed data from more than 13,000 Danish hospital workers to examine whether shift timing and recovery periods affected injury risk. Compared to day shifts, evening shifts increased the risk of occupational injury by more than 50%, and quick returns (<11 hours between shifts) raised the risk by about 25%. By contrast, night shifts were not linked to higher injury risk, and there was no association between shift type and leisure-time or commuting injuries.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
This study shows that not all shifts carry the same risk for accidents on the job. Evening shifts and short turnarounds stood out as the times when hospital staff were most vulnerable to injury, while night shifts themselves did not increase risk. For workers, this highlights the importance of recovery time between duties. For employers, it emphasizes that improving scheduling practices — especially reducing quick returns — can be a practical way to reduce injuries and improve safety.
Notes
Safety Science (2019).