The 24/7 operations at oil refineries require continuous coverage of nights, weekends and holidays, adding hardship to this demanding work schedule. Process operations at refineries are typically staffed by rotating shiftworkers, most of whom transitioned to two 12-hour shifts on rapid rotation schedules in the 1990s. The 12-hour shift, originally proposed as a compressed work week, provides little recovery time when an additional shift or two is added each week. How have these schedule changes influenced worker health and well-being?
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