Comparing the frequency of quality control checks during day and night shifts on the production floor of a paper sack plant in Ghana

Continuous Quality Control (QC) inspections are essential for preventing defective products in manufacturing. Although QC is widely practiced, limited research compares inspection practices between day and night shifts. This study investigated inspection frequency across shifts in a Ghanaian paper sack plant over an eight-month period. Data was collected from four production teams operating under a two-shift, 12-hour system. Statistical analysis revealed that at a 95% confidence level, no significant difference existed between day and night inspections. However, at a 90% confidence level, day shifts recorded more inspections than night shifts. The findings highlight the potential influence of fatigue and circadian rhythms on inspection performance. Recommendations include implementing rotational duties during night shifts and exploring organizational strategies to improve QC consistency across shifts. This study contributes to scholarship on manufacturing quality management by providing empirical evidence on inspection frequency variations between day and night shifts, a largely underexplored dimension in shift-work research.