Night Shift can cause potential health risks for workers : Report
An expert report revealed some of the potential health risks that night shift workers may face and what can be done to tackle them.
Night Shift can cause potential health risks for workers, a Psychom research report reveled.
Night shifts are necessary in a variety of industries, including hospitality, warehouse operations, and emergency services, but the effects on our circadian rhythm can have both emotional and physical health consequences.
A health hazards assessment published by Patient Claim Line in the United Kingdom revealed several potential risks for night shift employees.
A spokeswoman from Patient Claim Line has made comments regarding the potential risks, the impact on health, and what can be done to support night shift workers to raise awareness of the dangers they may face.
Mental health issues
“An increased risk of mental health issues can be a major concern for night shift workers who are adjusting to irregular sleeping patterns.” This can cause sleep disruptions, poor sleep quality, or insomnia. If this poor sleep quality progresses to chronic sleep deprivation, mood swings, irritability, and difficulties concentrating may emerge, resulting in a poorer sense of mood that can cause conflict with loved ones.”
“Depression is recognized as a possible symptom of working the night.” According to Psychom research, night shift workers are up to 33% more likely to be depressed than day shift workers. This could be attributed to an interruption in sleep or a lack of sociability owing to restrictive scheduling.”
Diabetes
“Changes in your circadian rhythm caused by an irregular sleeping pattern have been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.” The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal biological clock that governs the sleep-wake cycle, hormone production, and metabolism in response to environmental light variations. However, if the circadian rhythms are interrupted, glucose intolerance may be compromised. Diabates.co.uk states that “this can have long-term effects on the body, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.”
Vitamin D deficiency
“Because working in the night requires you to be awake at night and asleep during the day, you are likely to be vitamin D deficient.” According to the NHS website, vitamin D helps control the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body, which is required to maintain bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. When we are exposed to sunlight, our bodies also create this vitamin. However, a lack of calcium can result in brittle, thin, or deformed bones, according to SelectHealth, or even bone pain caused by a disorder known as osteomalacia, according to the NHS.”
What can be done to help the challenges that night shift workers face?
“While some industries require night working, workers could benefit from more flexibility in their work schedule.” Companies that provide night shift workers the option of working a series of nighttime shifts, sandwiched by a break, followed by a set of daytime shifts may assist workers feel like they are still executing a conventional work schedule while benefiting from sunlight.”
“Because of the nature of the job, management and supervision of night shift workers should be a priority in noticing any physical injuries or a decline in mental health.” As previously said, night shift work can be hard, and the worker’s health may be neglected. To protect their employees, management must be aware of any behavioral or physical changes and respond accordingly.”
These statements were made public by Patient Claim Line in order to raise awareness of the mental and physical consequences of working night shifts.
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