Shift Work Health Risk Calculator
Health risk scoring from shift pattern and duration.
Inputs
Results
Health risk score (0-100)
39
Risk category (1-3)2
Weekly sleep debt (hours)6.5
CV risk increase (%)17%
Incident risk multiplier1.39
Recovery days needed2
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter shift duration (hours), number of night shifts per week, and maximum consecutive night shifts.
- Enter years of shift work experience and rotation direction (1 = forward, 2 = backward).
- Read composite health risk score and specific risk areas elevated by your shift pattern.
- Review circadian disruption index — backward rotation and long consecutive night shifts increase risk most.
- Use results to advocate for forward-rotating schedules, adequate rest periods, and health screening.
How the result changes with Shift duration (hours)
| Shift duration (hours) | Health risk score (0-100) |
|---|---|
| 5.2 | 27 |
| 8.2 | 32 |
| 12 | 39 |
| 15 | 47 |
What each input means
- Shift duration (hours)
- Length of each work shift.
- Night shifts per week
- Number of night shifts (11pm-7am) per week.
- Consecutive night shifts
- Maximum consecutive night shifts in rotation.
- Years of shift work
- Total years working irregular/shift schedules.
- Rotation (1=forward, 2=back)
- 1 = forward (day-eve-night), 2 = backward rotation.
What each result means
- Health risk score (0-100)
- Composite health risk score from shift pattern.
- Risk category (1-3)
- 1=low, 2=moderate, 3=high health risk.
- Weekly sleep debt (hours)
- Estimated weekly sleep deficit from shift work.
- CV risk increase (%)
- Estimated cardiovascular risk increase relative to day workers.
- Incident risk multiplier
- Fatigue-related incident risk relative to baseline.
- Recovery days needed
- Minimum rest days between shift blocks.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersShift duration (hours) = 12, Night shifts per week = 3, Consecutive night shifts = 3, Years of shift work = 5 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Health risk scoreHealth risk score39 = 39
- Calculate Risk categoryRisk category2 = 2
- Calculate Weekly sleep debtWeekly sleep debt6.5 = 6.5
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