Shift pattern review checklist
This page provides an original checklist for reviewing shift patterns from a fatigue-risk perspective. It supports review and can help structure a discussion between planners, supervisors, safety teams, and workforce representatives.
Important: This checklist is not legal advice, not a substitute for official standards, and not a compliance certificate. A completed checklist does not prove a roster is safe, does not guarantee compliance, and does not replace competent person judgement or a full fatigue risk assessment. Adapt it to your organisation and sector.
How to use this checklist
Section titled “How to use this checklist”- Scope the review — which roles, locations, contracts, and time period does this pattern cover?
- Work through each section — use the prompts to ask whether relevant fatigue factors have been considered.
- Record findings — note concerns, assumptions, and who reviewed them.
- Compare options — if redesigning a roster, review alternatives side by side.
- Consult workers — ask how tiring the pattern feels in practice; do not rely on the checklist alone.
- Escalate — where exposure appears elevated, ensure documented review by a competent person before proceeding.
- Revisit — reassess when operations change, overtime increases, or credible fatigue reports arise. See planned vs actual fatigue.
For wider roster design principles, see roster design principles.
1. Shift start and finish times
Section titled “1. Shift start and finish times”Check whether:
- Start and finish times are recorded accurately for each duty in the pattern
- Early-morning starts coincide with the circadian low — see early starts and fatigue
- Late finishes compress sleep before the next duty
- Finish times allow realistic recovery before the next assignment
- The pattern has been reviewed shift by shift, not only as a weekly average
2. Night work
Section titled “2. Night work”Check whether:
- Which duties qualify as night work under your policy and any applicable working time provisions
- Night blocks are separated by adequate recovery where possible — see night shift fatigue
- Rotation between day and night is manageable for the operation
- Permanent night patterns have been considered separately from rotating patterns
- Night work has been included in fatigue risk assessment where relevant
3. Early starts
Section titled “3. Early starts”Check whether:
- Repeated early starts occur in the pattern
- Workers have realistic sleep opportunity before early duties
- Early starts follow late finishes anywhere in the preceding days (quick returns)
- Travel before an early start has been considered — see door-to-door fatigue planning checklist
4. Quick returns and rest between duties
Section titled “4. Quick returns and rest between duties”Check whether:
- The gap between end of one duty and start of the next allows adequate rest
- Quick returns are identified and reviewed, not hidden in the schedule
- Rest days are genuinely free from call-in or unpaid preparation where possible
- Recovery between demanding blocks is proportionate — see consecutive shifts and recovery
5. Consecutive shifts
Section titled “5. Consecutive shifts”Check whether:
- Runs of consecutive duties are identified
- Recovery days are planned after demanding sequences
- Overtime or overruns could extend consecutive exposure beyond the plan
- Cumulative load has been considered across the full schedule, not single days
6. Breaks within shifts
Section titled “6. Breaks within shifts”Check whether:
- Breaks are planned, realistic, and achievable during normal operations
- Breaks are likely to be taken — not routinely missed during busy periods
- Long duties have sensibly spaced recovery opportunities
- Missed or shortened breaks are treated as a reason to reassess — see breaks and recovery during shifts
7. Workload and vigilance
Section titled “7. Workload and vigilance”Check whether:
- Task demand during the shift matches what was assumed in any model or assessment
- Vigilance-heavy, monotonous, or physically demanding work is identified
- Peak workload periods (outages, possessions, programme pressure) are reflected
- Workload is considered alongside timing — not in isolation
8. Travel and door-to-door exposure
Section titled “8. Travel and door-to-door exposure”Check whether:
- Outward and return travel are included in fatigue planning where significant
- Total door-to-door burden has been estimated for typical and worst-case days
- Driving after a long or night duty has been considered
- See door-to-door time and the door-to-door planning checklist
9. Overtime and overruns
Section titled “9. Overtime and overruns”Check whether:
- Planned overtime or extended duties are identified in the pattern
- Disruption-driven overruns are likely in this operation
- Actual hours are monitored against the plan — see planned vs actual fatigue
- The pattern still looks reasonable if typical overruns occur
10. Worker feedback and reporting
Section titled “10. Worker feedback and reporting”Check whether:
- Workers have been consulted on how tiring the pattern feels
- A reporting route exists for fatigue concerns — see worker fatigue reporting
- Credible reports would trigger review even if a model score looks acceptable
- Workforce representatives are involved where appropriate
11. Modelled fatigue factors (optional)
Section titled “11. Modelled fatigue factors (optional)”Where your organisation uses fatigue modelling:
- Check whether schedule inputs are complete and accurate — see fatigue risk model inputs and outputs
- Review both Fatigue Index and Risk Index where applicable — see FI vs RI
- Treat outputs as decision-support, not pass/fail verdicts — see limitations of fatigue models
- Document assumptions and who interpreted the results
12. Records and governance
Section titled “12. Records and governance”Check whether:
- The review is documented with date, scope, and reviewer
- Elevated exposure has a named accountable decision-maker — see management accountability for fatigue
- Records are retained for assurance and learning — see fatigue records and audit
- The pattern will be reassessed after material change
Review summary
Section titled “Review summary”| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Pattern / roster reviewed | |
| Roles and locations covered | |
| Reviewer(s) | |
| Competent person (if required) | |
| Date | |
| Key concerns identified | |
| Actions agreed | |
| Next review date / trigger |
What this checklist does not do
Section titled “What this checklist does not do”- Does not prove legal compliance or complete a statutory risk assessment on its own
- Does not make a roster safe or approve work to proceed
- Does not replace competent person judgement or sector-specific requirements
- Does not reproduce ORR, Network Rail, or other industry checklists verbatim
- Does not set universal shift lengths, rest limits, or model thresholds
Sector-specific requirements vary. Organisations subject to contractual standards should review those requirements separately.
Related pages
Section titled “Related pages”- Roster design principles
- Shift work fatigue
- Night shift fatigue
- Early starts and fatigue
- Consecutive shifts and recovery
- Breaks and recovery during shifts
- Fatigue risk index (FRI)
- Planned vs actual fatigue
- Fatigue risk assessment template
References
Section titled “References”- Managing shift work (HSG256) — shift schedule design, risk factors, and consultation
- Fatigue — HSE — fatigue as a hazard; assessment of working hours
- Managing rail staff fatigue — ORR — roster and shift-system considerations (concepts adapted; not reproduced)
- RR446 — The development of a fatigue / risk index for shiftworkers — modelled fatigue factors from roster inputs