Aug 22 2005
Researchers have revealed that long working hours increases the risk of injury and illness, and the risk has nothing to do with how hazardous the job is.
When researchers in the U.S. analyzed the responses of almost 11,000 Americans to the annual National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, they found that after adjusting for age, gender, type of industry and job, employees working overtime were 61% more likely to sustain a work related injury or illness than employees who did not work overtime.
The survey included questions about employment history, work schedules, and sick leave, and covered the period between 1987 and 2000.
In all, 110,236 job records were analyses, and they found that 5,139 work related injuries and illnesses occurred.
But it appears that over half of these were in jobs with extended working hours or overtime.
Currently in the U.S., up to a third of overtime is compulsory.
When they broke the figures down even further it was seen that working at least 12 hours a day was associated with a 37% increased risk of injury or illness, while working at least 60 hours a week was associated with a 23% increased risk, compared with those who worked fewer hours.
Thus the more hours worked, the greater was the risk.
Long journeys to work had no impact on the injury and illness rate.
On further analysis it was found that the increased risks were not merely the result of demanding work schedules being concentrated in inherently "riskier" industries or jobs.
The authors say their findings support the theory that long working hours indirectly precipitate workplace accidents by inducing fatigue and stress.
They support government initiatives, such as those promised by the European Union, to cut working hours.
The study is published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.