Long hours and shift working have long been associated with a range of negative health
consequences for individuals, particularly fatigue. This has been a longstanding concern
across many shift working occupations, especially those in safety critical roles. Although
offshore workers have been actively researched in relation to a range of health issues, the
literature has a number of significant gaps regarding long hours, shifts and evaluating the
strengths and weaknesses of different working schedules. The evidence that is available
on these matters shows that: