Hospitals prioritize productivity in the workplace, but a University of Maryland study revealed long hours impact nurses' health and safety.

Research suggests nurses who work long hours or perform shift work are more likely to be obese. The university surveyed 2,103 as part of the study and found 55 percent were obese. In addition, the study showed obese nurses often worked jobs that required less physical activity.

Prior research completed by The New England Medical Journal indicates nurses working a common 12-hour shift suffered sleep deprivation, health problems and a greater likelihood of workplace safety errors. Nurses face health risks associated with obesity including cancer, coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Lead researcher Kihye Han told EHS Today the latest study shows long hours can have a negative impact on a nurses quality of work as it interferes with their adherence to healthy behavior.

Safety managers can establish health and safety guidelines at work with online solutions. Existing health and safety software programs can combine health-risk assessment tools with employee injury cost evaluation software to help companies keep employees healthy. Employers can use these kinds of online solutions to create a safer and healthier workplace.