Date of Award

9-1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Abstract

This study examined the effects of converting a large USAF aircraft maintenance squadron from an 8- hour shift system to a 12-hour shift system. In 1996, the squadron converted its 24-hour operations from three 8-hour work shifts, to two 12-hour work shifts with compressed work weeks. The squadron maintained 12-hour shifts for 19 consecutive months. A comparison was made of organizational performance, worker health and safety measures before, during and after 12-hour shift implementation. Findings indicated that changing from 8- to 12-hour shifts resulted in a slight increase in aircraft Mission Capability rates. However, this benefit appears to have come at the expense of worker health, as evidenced by a ten-fold increase in worker sick-call visits to the base hospital. Additionally, the squadron expended a higher proportion of direct labor hours in support of the flying schedule. There were no significant differences in any other aircraft reliability, maintenance repair or deferred maintenance indicators. On- and off-duty accident rates were also examined. There were no significant differences noted between mean 8- and 12-hour shift accident rates. The decision to implement 12-hour shifts is one that must be made with careful consideration of the costs and benefits identified in this study.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GLM-LAL-98S-11

DTIC Accession Number

ADA354347

Comments

Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Logistics and Acquisition Management of the Air Force Institute of Technology

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