NIG/General/TBT-NIG-008

Communication at Night

Night Working › General › Communication at Night

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Communication on night shifts is more challenging due to reduced staffing, fatigue, and limited visibility.
Noise from plant and equipment reduces the effectiveness of verbal communication in darkness.
Workers spread across a large site at night may be out of visual and voice contact for extended periods.
Two-way radios are the primary communication tool for night working teams on construction sites.
Radio discipline is essential; clear, concise messages prevent misunderstandings in low-visibility conditions.
Emergency communication procedures must work at night when fewer people are available to respond.
Shift handovers between day and night teams must communicate all live hazards and ongoing work.
Visual signals including hand signals and torch signals supplement radio communication in noisy areas.
Mobile phone signal may be unreliable in excavations, tunnels, and remote locations at night.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require effective communication for all work.

Prevent isolation	Workers out of contact at night cannot call for help during emergencies, medical events, or security incidents.
Shift handover safety	Incomplete handovers between shifts leave night workers unaware of live hazards, leading to serious incidents.
Emergency response	Night emergencies require rapid communication with fewer people on site. Reliable systems save critical minutes.

Don't

Carry a two-way radio and check it is working before each night shift.
Conduct a thorough shift handover covering all live hazards and active work.
Use clear, concise radio messages and confirm receipt of safety-critical information.
Establish regular check-in calls at agreed intervals throughout the night shift.
Carry a charged mobile phone as backup communication on every night shift.
Brief the night team on emergency contact numbers and escalation procedures.
Use torch signals where radio and voice communication are impractical.
Test the emergency alarm system before each night shift begins.
Ensure the site supervisor knows the location of every night worker at all times.
Record the shift handover in writing including all live hazards and permits.

DON'T start a night shift without a complete handover from the day team.
DON'T work without a radio or phone in case you need emergency help.
DON'T skip scheduled check-in calls; missed calls trigger the escalation procedure.
DON'T use radios for casual conversation that blocks safety-critical messages.
DON'T assume the day team has resolved all hazards before the night shift.
DON'T rely on shouting for communication in noisy or spread-out night operations.
DON'T leave your radio turned off or on the wrong channel during the shift.
DON'T forget to brief relief workers arriving partway through the night shift.
DON'T ignore communication dead spots; report them so alternatives are arranged.
DON'T end the night shift without handing over live issues to the day team.

See also: Night Working Safety Awareness | Night Shift Handover Procedures

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