Shiftwork and extended hours
Shiftwork and shifts with
extended hours refer to any non-standard work schedule. The
traditional eight-hour day worked between 7 AM and 6 PM has changed
dramatically and many people now regularly work evening and night shifts and/or extended hours
Studies show that
shiftwork and shifts with extended hours can have significant adverse
effects on health, workplace accident rates, absenteeism and a
worker’s personal life.
The shift system is often used in organisations that need to operate 24 hours a day, such as hospitals, police stations or airlines. Shift work is also done when machinery needs to operate continuously and in the retail sector where extended shopping hours are fast becoming commonplace.
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Partial sleep deprivation
is the main problem that affects the health of shift workers.
Night work disturbs the
circadian rhythm in the human body. This is an internal body clock
that is synchronised to a 24 hour period. It regulates a number of
physiological functions such as body temperature, hormone
secretion, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion and
mental alertness. It lets us know, among other things, when to sleep and when to eat.
Shiftworkers can have health problems because this internal clock is
disturbed.
Shift workers and extended
hour workers suffer from sleep disturbances and the physiological
consequences that result from it. The social effects extend to their
family and friends.
Researchers have found
several negative health effects in shiftworkers and workers on
extended hours. Some of these are:
- increased heart
disease
- gastric ulcers and
gastro intestinal problems
- social problems and
minor psychiatric disorders
- sleep disorders and
increased fatigue
- increased error rates
and accident rates.
Some personal factors can
make workers more susceptible to problems when doing shiftwork or
extended hours. These include:
- a heavy domestic work
load
- psychiatric illness
- a history of alcohol
or drug abuse
- epilepsy
- diabetes
- heart disease
There are a number of
steps that employers can take to address the problems faced by shift
workers. Some of the solutions suggested for employers are:
- Improve
workplace lighting and canteen and recreation facilities.
- Ensure workers undertake no
more than two consecutive night shifts.
- Ensure workers undertake no
more than two or three consecutive 12 hour shifts.
- Ensure an
even distribution of days off with shift blocks.
- Avoid
compacting shifts to produce longer breaks.
- Allow workers
time for breaks, time to move around and time to interact with other workers.
- Ensure job
rotation by moving employees to different tasks or responsibilities.
- Educate
workers on lifestyle advice such as eating and sleeping patterns.
In addition, shift workers
should have the same access as day workers to services such as
counselling and the same opportunities for participation in training and
meetings. Workplace safety committee meetings should also be
scheduled for those on evening and night shifts.
The shift worker can also
take a number of steps to make living with shift work more bearable.
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Setting up the
conditions for sleep is very important
Family, neighbours and
friends need to know and understand the shift schedule. Let
relatives and neighbours know about the work schedule.
The bedroom must be dark
and cool. Noise levels can be reduced by heavy curtains and sound
insulation on the doors and windows. An air conditioner can mask
minor noises from outside. An answering machine for
the phone and lowering the ring tone may also be helpful.
There should be a routine
for waking up as well, just as there is for the average day-worker.
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Night-shift
workers should exercise
Exercising is not an easy
task because shift workers usually start the day exhausted and
pressed for time.
However, exercise can simply mean being active in general; for example, a walk around the neighbourhood for half an hour or a game of backyard soccer with the children.
Exercise should be a part
of every day, but vigorous exercise should be avoided within the
last two hours before bed time.
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Shift workers’
diet is very important
Shift workers should have
three meals a day, at roughly the same time every day. The timing of
meals can keep energy levels up, improve sleep and help the body
adjust to the shiftwork schedule.
Restrict the intake of
caffeine, not only in coffee and tea, but in soft drinks too.
Healthy snacks like fruit
and fruit juice, raw vegetables and cheese are very good at home or
at work.
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Family
understanding and co-operation is crucial
Stress seems a common
problem in shiftworkers’ lifestyle and a good home environment
can help reduce stress.
- When
the work is sedentary, contact others on the same shift regularly; it may help to keep alert.
- Stand
up and walk occasionally.
- Go
to the toilet and wash your hands and wet your face.
- Be
aware of fatigue after the shift is over, especially while driving
home.
- Keep
your mind active by listening to the radio.
- Avoid overall heating - in winter, it is better to direct warmth to the feet
and open the window a little to let the fresh air in on your face.
Useful references
Shiftwork
and Health. A literature review and practical approach to
shiftwork roster redesign. Mathen D. (University of Sydney, 1993)
Living With Shiftwork Ontario Natural Resources
Safety Association (ONRSA, Canada,
1996)
Guidelines for Shiftworkers
Wedderburn, A. (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Dublin, 1991)
WorkCover NSW How to
manage shiftwork (1997)and
Shiftwork: How to devise an effective roster (1997)
Facts 043 © Workers Health Centre, 2004
