The Use and Health Consequences of Shift Work

Abstract

The amount of shift work has increased dramatically in all industrialized nations during the past 30 years. In the United States, more than one-quarter of workers do shift work. The proportion of shift workers is highest in service and large-scale, capital-intensive industries. Shift work has spread subsequent to the rise of industrialization and the development of large corporations. It is used primarily to maximize the profits of the owners of these industries. On the other hand, it has substantial social and economic costs in terms of the ill health of shift workers. They suffer significantly more sleeping disturbances, nervous troubles, and disturbances of the alimentary tract. They also report disruptions in their family and social lives. The adverse consequences of shift work could be decreased by designing physiologically and socially appropriate shift schedules and by providing necessary additional services for shift workers. Unfortunately, these changes will be inadequate unless they are accompanied by efforts on the national level to restrict the use of shift work. Workers must push for laws restricting shift work to industries where it is technically necessary. Since shift work is really only one manifestation of the increasingly complex social and technical organization of work forced on workers in the drive to maximize profits, they must ultimately act together to gain control over their working conditions.

Work‐related fatigue and recovery: the contribution of age, domestic responsibilities and shiftwork

“…These observations are consistent with many other reports of the relationship between shiftwork and work strain (Tasto et al. 1978, Baker 1980, Kandolin 1993, Harrington 1994, Cruz et al. 2000, Akerstedt et al.…”

“…The traditional pattern of shiftwork in nursing involves working different shifts at different times of the day and night according to a pattern that is frequently unpredictable. Internal rotation shiftwork‐related problems (Baker 1980, Harrington 1994, Cruz et al. 2000) may be more difficult to resolve for partnered nurses with dependents.…”

Nonstandard shift schedules and the risk of job-related injuries

“…Evidence suggests that working nonstandard shifts can adversely affect workers' health (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Several studies have attributed such effects primarily to disruptions in the body's system for regulating circadian rhythms, the so-called biological clock, which helps to stabilize metabolic, endocrine, sleep, and other physiological functions (9)(10)(11)(12).…”

Shiftwork experience and the value of time

“…The effects of shiftwork on workers, their families, communities and organizations have been well-documented (Mott et al 1965, Wedderburn 1967, Rutenfranz and Knauth 1976, Baker 1980, Gadbois 1981, Iskra-Golec et al 1996, Akerstedt 1998, Nurminen 1998, Nachreiner 1998, Barton et al 1998. Generally, there is agreement among researchers that the effects on 'well being and health are chronic' (Rutenfranz et al 1985: 203) and that this is related to the age of the worker and the number of years the worker has been exposed to shiftwork.…”