BACKGROUND: Police officers may be injury prone due to fatigue, erratic work hours, and insufficient sleep. This study explored injury incidence among police officers across shifts. METHODS: Day-to-day shift data from computerized payroll records (1994-2010) were available from a mid-sized urban police department (n = 430). Sleep duration, shift activity level, returning to work after days off, and injury incidence over time were also examined. RESULTS: Age-adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for injury on the midnight shift was 72% larger than the day shift (IRR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.26-2.36) and 66% larger than the afternoon shift (IRR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.23-2.25). Injury incidence for the first day back on the midnight shift was 69% larger than day shift (IRR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.23-2.32) and 54% larger than the afternoon shift (IRR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.36-1.76). High activity level combined with midnight shift work put officers at increased injury risk (IRR = 2.31; P = 0.0003). Probability of remaining free of injury was significantly higher for day shift than midnight shift (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher injury risk was associated with night shift work in police officers. Night shift combined with high work activity was strongly associated with injury risk. There was a significantly higher probability of not being injured on day compared to midnight or afternoon shifts.
BACKGROUND: Police officers may be injury prone due to fatigue, erratic work hours, and insufficient sleep. This study explored injury incidence among police officers across shifts. METHODS: Day-to-day shift data from computerized payroll records (1994-2010) were available from a mid-sized urban police department (n = 430). Sleep duration, shift activity level, returning to work after days off, and injury incidence over time were also examined. RESULTS: Age-adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for injury on the midnight shift was 72% larger than the day shift (IRR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.26-2.36) and 66% larger than the afternoon shift (IRR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.23-2.25). Injury incidence for the first day back on the midnight shift was 69% larger than day shift (IRR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.23-2.32) and 54% larger than the afternoon shift (IRR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.36-1.76). High activity level combined with midnight shift work put officers at increased injury risk (IRR = 2.31; P = 0.0003). Probability of remaining free of injury was significantly higher for day shift than midnight shift (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher injury risk was associated with night shift work in police officers. Night shift combined with high work activity was strongly associated with injury risk. There was a significantly higher probability of not being injured on day compared to midnight or afternoon shifts.
Authors: Jared H Hornsby; Brittany L Johnson; Donald P Meckley; Anna Blackley; Will W Peveler; Jeffrey N Lowes; J Jay Dawes Journal: Int J Exerc Sci Date: 2021-04-01
Authors: John M Violanti; Desta Fekedulegn; Michael E Andrew; Luenda E Charles; Tara A Hartley; Bryan Vila; Cecil M Burchfiel Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2013-01-07 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Christine West; Desta Fekedulegn; Michael Andrew; Cecil M Burchfiel; Siobán Harlow; C Raymond Bingham; Marjorie McCullagh; Sung Kyun Park; John Violanti Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-11 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Desta Fekedulegn; Cecil M Burchfiel; Claudia C Ma; Michael E Andrew; Tara A Hartley; Luenda E Charles; Ja K Gu; John M Violanti Journal: J Safety Res Date: 2016-12-08
Authors: Desta Fekedulegn; Cecil M Burchfiel; Luenda E Charles; Tara A Hartley; Michael E Andrew; John M Violanti Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Desta Fekedulegn; Cecil M Burchfiel; Tara A Hartley; Penelope Baughman; Luenda E Charles; Michael E Andrew; John M Violanti Journal: Int J Emerg Ment Health Date: 2013