TRIUMF - 500 MeV Operations Group Shift System Information

TRIUMF - 500 MeV Operations Group Shift System Information

The TRIUMF 500MeV Operations Group Shift System is based on a 35 day (five week) rotation period.
During this period, each member of a shift works an equal number of shifts on Days, Evenings and Nights.
Nights Shifts are scheduled following days off and are followed by days off to allow for easier transition to and from the abnormal hours.

DAY OF THE WEEK
----------------------------
SHIFT & TIMES F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T

NIGHT
23:00 - 07:15 C D E A B C D E A B

DAY
07:00 - 15:00 A B C D E A B C D E

EVENING
14:45 - 23:15 E A B C D E A B C D

FOLLOWING "A" SHIFT THROUGH ONE COMPLETE FIVE WEEK SHIFT ROTATION, THE PERSONNEL WORK :

Seven days : Friday to Monday on Day shift, then Tuesday to Thursday on Evening shift, followed by four days off.

Three days : Tuesday to Thursday on Night shift, followed by four days off.

Seven days : Tuesday to Thursday on Day shift, then Friday to Monday on Evening shift, followed by three days off.

Four days : Friday to Monday on Night shift, followed by three days off.

Notes : Night shift is the first shift of the calendar day, but starts at 23:00 of the previous day. (eg. Tuesday Night shift starts at 23:00 Monday)

There is a fifteen minute shift overlap period to allow for smooth transition.

This shift system has numerous benefits :

DAY OF THE WEEK ---------------------------- SHIFT & TIMES	F S S M	T W T	F S S M	T W T	F S S M	T W T	F S S M	T W T	F S S M	T W T
NIGHT 23:00 - 07:15	C	D	E	A	B	C	D	E	A	B
DAY 07:00 - 15:00	A	B	C	D	E	A	B	C	D	E
EVENING 14:45 - 23:15	E	A	B	C	D	E	A	B	C	D

This is a rotating shift system so long-term circadian rhythms do not get out-of-step with natural day/night cycles.
Uses a rapid rotation so there is insufficient time for circadian rhythms to get adjusted to nonstandard work hours.
Forward shift rotation (Days to Evenings to Nights to Days etc.) to better agree with the body's natural 24+ hour clock.
Minimum sequence of Night shifts (4) reduces the degree of adaption to, or disruption of circadian rhythms.
Minimum of 72 hours off before and after Night shifts to aid in the adjustment to and from nonstandard hours.
Twenty-four hours off* when changing from Day to Evening shift. * (actually 23:45)
Provides for two out of five weekends off, to better allow for social and family commitments.
Shift assignments are not changed often, therefore employees can schedule their personal events many months in advance.
Allows a worker to take the three Night shift portion off (as vacation time), resulting in an eleven-day rest period.
Shift Start/End times are neither too early nor too late to coincide with normal day/night cycles.
Shift start and end times are arranged to allow for decreased commute times. Note: Evening shift starts 15 minutes early.
Was approved by Health Canada, B.C. Workers Compensaton Board, B.C. Labour Relations Board and Provincial Health Authorities.
Has been in use at TRIUMF for almost 40 years.

Written and maintained by Gord Roy

Seven days :	Friday to Monday on Day shift, then Tuesday to Thursday on Evening shift, followed by four days off.
Three days :	Tuesday to Thursday on Night shift, followed by four days off.
Seven days :	Tuesday to Thursday on Day shift, then Friday to Monday on Evening shift, followed by three days off.
Four days :	Friday to Monday on Night shift, followed by three days off.
Notes :	Night shift is the first shift of the calendar day, but starts at 23:00 of the previous day. (eg. Tuesday Night shift starts at 23:00 Monday)

	There is a fifteen minute shift overlap period to allow for smooth transition.