SHIFT WORK & HEALTH Dr.Omid Aminian Associate professor Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Shift Work Shift work involves work at times other than normal daylight hours 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM 10%-25% all workers are doing shift work shift work have been associated with: Immediate risk to worker safety Long term risk to worker health

Occupations involving Shift Work Police & fire protection Medical care Transport – bus, train, shipping, and airlines communication Energy & water utilities

Effects of shift work Health effects Safety effects Family and social effects

Health effects Changes in natural body rhythms Sleep problems Increased risk of heart disease Menstrual problems and difficulties during pregnancy Disturbed eating patterns and poor diet Gastrointestinal disorders and gastric ulcers Use of alcohol and other drugs

Sleep Deprivation Sleep deprivation is the most significant complaint in shift work About 62% of night worker complain sleep deprivation Shift work affects not only sleep length but also sleep quality REM decrease in the sleep after night work

Safety effects Increased physical and mental fatigue Concentration difficulties Increased risk of accidents

Family and social effects Isolation from family activities Lack of contact with partners Reduced interest in sex Reduced contact with school age children Higher rates of marriage breakup Reduced friendship networks

Condition That May Be Exacerbate By Shift Work Sleep disorder Asthma Coronary artery disease Psychiatric disorder Epilepsy Gastrointestinal disease Shift maladaption syndrome Long-term drug therapy

Shift Work maladaptation syndrome 10%-20% all shift workers Chronic sleep disturbance & fatigue Gastrointestinal symptoms Alcohol and drug abuse Depression Difficult inter personal relationships Use of sleeping pills Higher accident

Length of shifts and working hours maximum of 6 consecutive 8-hour shifts 2 consecutive night shifts 2 consecutive 12-hour shifts 12 hours overtime per week 12 hours work per day 48 hours rostered work per week Breaks during shifts

Common Negative Effects of Shift Work Lack of Communication between staff on different shifts Lack of “Teamwork” Lack of concentration while on duty Potential Unsafe Conditions Stress/fatigue