Healthy,
safe and
productive lives
and enterprises

Night Work and Shift Work

There are specific requirements which apply when employees are employed on night work. An employer must carry out a risk assessment to determine whether night work involves special hazards or a heavy physical or mental strain. The employer must ensure protection from and prevention of risks to a night worker or shift worker.

Before an employee starts night work and at regular intervals, the employer must offer an assessment of the adverse effects of night working on his or her health. This assessment must be free of charge.

An employer must provide health surveillance if a risk assessment identifies a risk to safety or health or to the physical or mental development of a child or young person. This includes pre-assignment health assessments before assignment to night work, regular checks, and informing the individual (and their guardian) of results.

A registered medical practitioner, or their nominee, will assess whether night work is having, or may have, a negative impact on health. They will inform the employer and employee whether or not the employee is fit or unfit to perform night work. Where the employee is unfit for night work because of working conditions, the person who carried out the assessment may suggest changes which would result in him or her being fit for the work.

If a night worker becomes unwell for reasons connected with night work, the employer must reassign to other duties whenever this is possible.

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