Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
April 26 2021
Read moreUnder this legislation, night time is between 11 pm to 6 am unless otherwise agreed upon by the employer and employee.
While working at night doesn’t necessarily pose any significant health risks, it may worsen some existing health conditions including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and diabetes.
You’re required to offer all night workers health assessments. It must be free and carried out before they become night workers.
This piece explores the health assessment as well as some tips for ensuring the health and safety of your night workers.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces the night worker health assessment requirement detailed in the Working Time Regulations 1998.
This health assessment helps employers to identify where night shifts are causing workers health risks. After completion, it also helps to decide how best to make reasonable adjustments.
Here’s a template you can refer to, but remember that your business will have specific needs. As a result, you may need to adapt it to suit your requirements.
Health assessment questionnaire |
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Have you had any medical problem in the past that has prevented you from working at night? |
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Are you diabetic? |
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Are you subject to angina, or other heart problems that may affect your fitness? |
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Have you had duodenal or stomach ulcers in the past, or are you under treatment for those at present? |
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Have you had any continuing bowel problem, for instance following major surgery? |
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Do you have any chronic chest problem such as asthma, emphysema or bronchiectasis? |
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Do you have any disability affecting mobility that will cause difficulties in arranging night work? |
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Do you have any recurrent or continuing sleep disturbance requiring medical advice? |
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Are you having specialist care requiring your attendance at hospital clinics for treatment? |
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Do you have any other health problem that affects your fitness for night work? |
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Are you taking any medication to a strict timetable? |
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Please give the names of any prescribed medications that you take regularly:
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Please give any further details that you would like to bring to our attention:
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Yes, they are. You’re required to offer repeat assessments regularly.
In cases where health problems are related to night work, employers must offer suitable alternative work if possible.
You should also keep records of individual health assessments for up to two years and if an employee declined assessment then the dates it was offered.
Alongside designing shift patterns to ensure sufficient rest time between working hours and providing healthy food options onsite, further advice to provide your night shift workers could include:
If you’d like to find out more information on any of the topics mentioned in this article, please contact Health Assured on 0844 892 2493.
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