DO WEEKLY AND FAST-ROTATING SHIFTWORK SCHEDULES DIFFERENTIALLY AFFECTDURATION AND QUALITY OF SLEEP

Characteristics of shiftwork schedules can have distinct impacts on wo rkers' sleep. This report presents comparisons of the effects of two d ifferent shiftwork schedules on duration and quality of the main sleep episodes in comparable worker populations at two different petrochemi cal plants. No significant differences were found for sleep duration i n comparing the two plants. However, within each plant's shift cycles, morning and night shifts showed shorter sleep durations than all othe r workdays and days off. Quality of sleep was perceived as lowest for night shifts of both plant schedules, and of lesser quality for weekly than for fast-rotating shifts, These results support recommendations for reducing the number of consecutive nights of shiftwork. However, b efore recommending any optimal shift schedule, interactions of sleep d uration and quality with shift schedules need much further evaluation.