(in German)

Night work has negative impacts on employees’ biological rhythms, sleep, and social relationships. It therefore increases the risk of chronic diseases, accidents, and mental illnesses, which means the dangers it involves are similar to those from rotating night shifts. Consideration should be given to ergonomic findings about the organisation of night and shift work so that the negative impacts on employees can be minimised and their health, safety, and productivity maintained. The findings generated by ergonomics support the recommendations that employees should work no more than three night shifts in succession and permanent night work should be avoided. This baua: Focus is based on a written statement drawn up by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, BAuA) for the Working Group on Social Occupational Safety and Health of the Commission for Safety and Health of the Federal States (Länderausschuss für Arbeitsschutz und Sicherheitstechnik, LASI).

Please download the complete publication "Current ergonomic evidence and recommendations on night work and permanent night work" (in German only).