Long working hours can greatly increase the risk of injury or illness, according to a recent US stud...
Long working hours can greatly increase the risk of injury or illness, according to a recent US study.
The research, conducted by the University of Massachusetts, found that people working overtime were 61% more likely to fall ill compared with people working normal hours.
It also revealed that working more than 12 hours a day increased the risk by 37%, while a 60-hour week was associated with a 23% increased risk.
The study looked at data from 1987 to 2000. A total of 110,236 job records were analysed, covering a total of 89,729 workers. During this period, 5,139 of the respondents suffered from work-related injuries and illnesses, ranging from stress to cuts, burns and muscle injuries.
After analysing the results, the report concluded that risk was not necessarily associated with how dangerous a job is.
"The result suggests that job schedules with long working hours are not more risky merely because they are concentrated in inherently hazardous industries or occupations, or because people working long hours spend more total time 'at risk' for a work injury," it stated.
"Strategies to prevent work injuries should consider changes in scheduling practices, job redesign, and health protection programmes for people working in jobs involving overtime and extended hours," it added.
According to the Trade Union Congress (TUC), nearly four million UK employees, approximately 15% of the total workforce, are regularly working more than 48 hours a week.
The TUC also revealed that 60% of people who work long hours do not get paid extra for their added time.
