Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
chapter five
From constrained to constructed
working time
Toward an enabling organization of work
in rotating shifts and night shifts
Cathy Toupin, Béatrice Barthe and
Sophie Prunier- Poulmaire
Contents
Rotating shift and night shift work: A continuously expanding
practice with detrimental effects .................................................................... 66
From constrained time to constructed time ................................................. 68
Constructed time: Strategies at work to preserve health....................... 68
A construction over the course of months and years ............................. 70
Designing enabling organizations for work in rotating schedules
and night schedules ......................................................................................... 72
Acting on the conditions and contents of work during these
schedules ...................................................................................................... 73
Acting on professional careers and human resources management ... 74
Conclusion: From constrained time to constructed time ........................... 75
References .......................................................................................................... 76
In a context of constant expansion of atypical work schedules, in particu-
lar rotating shifts and night shifts, a systematic and constructive approach
to ergonomics considers the temporal organization of work as a possible
contribution to the quality of work, to the safety and reliability of systems,
and to the health of men and women involved with these schedules.
First, we will describe the detrimental effects classically associated
with the practice of rotating shifts and night shifts. This chapter will then
aim to show that the organization of work schedules can also be respect-
ful of the state of health of employees and can even, under specific condi-
tions, contribute to the development of abilities, know-how and skills that
are conducive to a successful professional career path. The joint analysis
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