Gateway - The BBC Intranet
Gateway home
myRisks
myRisks Banner
 You are in: myRisks > General Safety > Working Hours > Night Operations
Skip to main content

Working Hours
Night Operations

People are not naturally nocturnal animals. A person's normal body rhythm involves sleeping at night. Our body clock also governs other functions and so in the early hours of the morning it will reduce body temperature, reduce blood pressure and stop digestion. This makes us sleepy and less alert. These rhythms do not disappear even if there are changes to the environment and routine.
 
Those who work at night need information about overcoming the effects e.g. adapting their social lives; minimising disruption to daytime sleep by measures such as sleeping in ear plugs and eye shades; and eating light meals instead of heavy comfort food. As people feel the cold more at night it may be worth increasing the room temperature, and people working out on location should be advised to take extra precautions against the cold.
 
One effect of shift work in general, and night work in particular, may be the taking of sedatives to aid sleep at unusual times. The effect of such sedatives may interact and lengthen reaction times thereby increasing the risk of accidents either at work or on the way to or from work. Similar effects may be produced by medication being taken for other purposes. In any cases of doubt seek advice from Occupational Health. Any system for checking on someone's level of fatigue must consider evidence beyond that person's own view. 
 
Anyone required to work between 23.00 and 06.00 should be made aware of the guidelines. In particular the potential health effects that may result and asked to monitor themselves and report any problems to Occupational Health. Working shifts are kept under review. Where practical, the working environment for those working 23.00 and 6.00 should be as comfortable as is practical e.g. adequate lighting, heating / cooling, minimal noise and other potential disturbances, etc.
 
There is guidance on Night Operations on the HR site on night working.
 

Special night work limits for Young Workers
Young workers may not ordinarily work at night between 22.00 and 6.00, or between 23.00 and 7.00 if the contract of employment provides for work after 10pm. However, exceptions apply in particular circumstances.  In the case of young workers in the film and television industry can expect to be covered by the derogation from the night work limit, on the grounds that night shooting, sometimes pre-scheduled, may be required to "maintain continuity of production", and by the very nature of the work, there would be no adult available to perform the task. The young worker's training needs should not be adversely affected and we will arrange compensatory rest.
Search myRisks