Shift Work and Fatigue Statistics UK: Workforce and Risks
Online CPD Academy
https://onlinecpdacademy.co.uk/blog/shift-work-and-fatigue-statistics-uk

An estimated 8.7 million people in the UK usually worked evenings or nights in 2022, equivalent to 26.7% of the workforce, according to ONS. Separately, rail-sector evidence cited by ORR identified fatigue as a factor in 21% of high-risk incidents.

STATISTICS

Workers usually working evenings or nights: 8.7 million
2022 | UK
ONS broad night-time workforce definition; includes evening work.

Share of workforce usually working evenings or nights: 26.7%
2022 | UK
Labour Force Survey analysis.

COVERAGE
The ONS workforce estimate covers 2022. Rail figures come from RSSB evidence cited by ORR. Working patterns, fatigue and health outcomes are distinct measures, shown in separate sections.

USING THESE STATISTICS
Please credit Online CPD Academy and link to https://onlinecpdacademy.co.uk/blog/shift-work-and-fatigue-statistics-uk when using these statistics. Retain each figure’s reporting period and coverage.

SOURCES
1. HSE — Fatigue
https://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/fatigue.htm

2. ONS — The night-time economy, UK: 2022
https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/articles/thenighttimeeconomyuk/2022

3. ORR — Managing rail staff fatigue
https://www.orr.gov.uk/managing-rail-staff-fatigue

4. GOV.UK — Night working hours
https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours

5. GOV.UK — Night work health assessments
https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours/health-assessments

6. GOV.UK — Rest breaks at work
https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

7. IARC — Monographs Volume 124: Night Shift Work
https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-volume-124-night-shift-work/

8. HSE — Shift work good practice guidelines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/good-practice-guidelines.htm

9. DfT — RRCGB 2025: Road safety factors
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-final-results-2025/rrcgb-2025-road-safety-factors

10. Gan et al. — Shift work and diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25030030/