Table 2

Shift schedule and work environment characteristics of shift workers (n=1300)

VariablesN%
Occupational sector
 Accommodation and food services21816.8
 Health and social work35527.3
 Retail22917.6
 Manufacturing1108.5
 Other*38829.8
Pattern of SW
 Predominantly days46035.4
 Predominantly nights16412.6
 Predominantly rotating16812.9
 Other50839.1
Duration of exposure to SW
 <8 years62247.8
 ≥8 years67852.2
Average length of shift
 <8 hours37929.2
 8–11 hours62247.8
 ≥12 hours29923.0
Availability and use of food preparation facilities
 Yes68552.7
 No32725.2
 Not available28822.1
Availability and use of food storage facilities
 Yes78460.3
 No26720.5
 Not available24919.2
Availability and use of vending machines
 Yes35527.3
 No40831.4
 Not available53741.3
Receiving adequate break times†
 Agree77669.7
 Disagree33730.3
Satisfied with healthy meal/snack availability‡
 Agree55159.3
 Disagree37840.7
Availability of leisure facilities
 Yes14210.9
 No115889.1

  • *Denotes those employed in sectors of transport/communications, agriculture/animals, construction, call centre/telesales, computer-related activity, distribution and logistics and finance/banking/insurance

  • †Valid denominator=1113

  • ‡Valid denominator=929

  • SW, shift work.