Health and occupational outcomes among injured, nonstandard shift workers

OBJECTIVE: This study compares health and occupational outcomes following a work-related injury for nonstandard and day-shift workers. METHODS: National Population Health Survey data were used to explore outcomes 2 years post-work injury. Retrospective-matched cohort analyses examined main effects and interactions of shift schedule and work injury with changes in health, shift schedule, and labor force status. Models were adjusted for respondent characteristics, baseline health status, and occupational strength requirements. RESULTS: Injured nonstandard shift workers reported lower health utility index scores, compared with uninjured and injured daytime workers and uninjured nonstandard-shift workers. No significant interactions between shift and injury were found with schedule change and leaving the labor force. CONCLUSIONS: Injured nonstandard-shift workers are as likely to remain employed as other groups, but may be vulnerable in terms of diminished health