What is the most common workplace injury associated with working 12-hour shifts?

The most common workplace injury associated with working 12-hour shifts is typically a back injury from moving a patient. Working extended hours can lead to fatigue, which heightens the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in environments where lifting, transferring, or repositioning patients is frequent.

Lifting techniques may deteriorate as fatigue sets in over a long shift, making staff more susceptible to improper lifting and subsequently suffering from back injuries. Additionally, the physical demands of patient care can exacerbate normal wear and tear on the body over time, leading to chronic injuries.

While needlestick injuries are a significant concern in healthcare settings, they do not have the same prevalence associated specifically with the duration of shifts compared to back injuries resulting from physically demanding tasks. Similarly, while falls and carpal tunnel syndrome are common injuries in various workplace environments, they are less directly tied to the extended hours of a 12-hour shift compared to back injuries caused by patient handling.

Fatigue from longer shifts can also contribute to a decrease in overall vigilance and safety awareness, potentially leading to falls, but the more direct physical demand of patient handling is more closely linked to back injuries.