Shift work can throw the body into ‘chaos’ and may cause long term damage if employers do not understand the issues and fail to implement measures to safeguard employees.

According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), research* has shown there can be undesirable consequences for those working shifts outside daytime hours, particularly doing a night or early morning shift.

Shift work can throw the body into ‘chaos’ and may cause long term damage if employers do not understand the issues and fail to implement measures to safeguard employees.

According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), research* has shown there can be undesirable consequences for those working shifts outside daytime hours, particularly doing a night or early morning shift.

Effects of working shifts on the body

When working shifts, particularly night shifts, the body clock is knocked out of its normal rhythm. Our body clocks are linked to the daily cycle of day and night, light and dark and regulate all the functions of the body including body temperature, kidney function, blood pressure and digestion.

The digestive system also slows down at night so when an employee is awake overnight, they may have difficulty digesting certain foods. During a night shift, the body is ready for sleep, so a worker may become less alert, physically less strong and mentally less clear; while their digestion is poor. After a night shift, the body is starting to wake up with the digestion, kidneys and other bodily systems ready for a day’s work.

Health effects of shift working may include:

• disruption of the internal body clock
• fatigue and sleeping difficulties
• disturbed appetite and digestion
• reliance on sedative and/or stimulants

which in turn may affect work performance, increase the likelihood of errors and accidents at work and may also create social and domestic problems for the employee.

Night shift workers may also face greater ill health effects, particularly those with long term exposure to shift work, which could include:

• chronic fatigue
• gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion or heartburn
• abdominal pain, constipation, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers
• cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, coronary heart disease
• increased susceptibility to minor illnesses such as colds, flu and gastroenteritis

To help negate the impact of shift work on an employee’s health, employers should consider:

• health questionnaires on an annual basis (as per the Working Time Directive), plus further medical investigation if required based on the results of the questionnaire
• regular health screening (respiratory, skin or audio checks etc)
• counselling for employees suffering adverse effects of shift work
• providing information, support and opportunities for employees to stay physically fit and eat a healthy diet
• allowing two nights’ full sleep when switching workers from day to night shifts and vice versa

For more information about improving the health of shift workers, please call 0121 601 4041, emailinfo@mohs.co.uk or visit www.mohs.co.uk

To help employees cope with shift work, a free fact sheet can be downloaded via our website.

*Source: Managing shift work HSE Guidance ISBN 978 0 7176 61978