Abstract
The current study examined the impact on employee health and safety of changes to the roster system of an Australian coal mine. Absenteeism and incident frequency rate data were collected over a 33-month period that covered three different roster schedules, an 8-hour system, a 12-hour system and a 12-hour system incorporating unregulated overtime. The first change was implemented after consultation with the employee population, whereas the second was not. There were no significant negative effects of the 12-hour pattern, when compared to the 8-hour system. However, when unregulated and excessive overtime was introduced as part of the second round of changes, absenteeism rates were increased in one sector of the mine. The maintenance sector was subject to a significant increase in absenteeism rates, which may have been attributable to the excessive overtime required of the workers in that area. It is important that overtime be strictly monitored and that the employee population are involved in the process of roster change.
