Human body functions follow a daily rhythm, or 24-hour cycle, known
as circadian rhythm. This internal clock regulates sleeping, waking,
digestion, secretion of adrenaline, body temperature, blood pressure,
and many other body functions.
Human behavior is also affected by this 24-hour cycle.
These rhythmical processes are coordinated to allow for high activity during the day and low activity at night. For example, body temperature is highest during the afternoon and early evening, and lowest in the early morning, just before sunrise.
This rhythm is upset when shift workers turn their schedules upside down. When circadian rhythms are disrupted by working at night, they can get out of sync with other body rhythms and activity patterns. This can make workers feel tired and disoriented.
Since these rhythms affect so many different systems, the effects can spill into nearly every part of life—including work and home life.
Some rhythms can adapt in 2 or 3 days when an employee starts working shifts. Others may take much longer. Furthermore, people adapt to changes in work schedules at different rates.
But permanent change of circadian rhythms rarely occurs for most people because on days off they often go back to a normal day schedule, keeping the system in a constant state of change.
Workers may be less likely to respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies and more likely to have accidents and injuries.
Disruption of circadian rhythms brought about by shiftwork can also affect some preexisting medical conditions. For example, shiftwork can sometimes interfere with the treatment of certain diseases and medical conditions.
A few workers have become physically ill when switched to night shift. They may vomit, suffer light-headedness, or even have seizures. Fortunately, such extreme reactions are very rare.
But just to be safe, before moving to a night or rotating shift, workers should check with their doctor if they are being treated or taking medication for a preexisting medical condition.
A supervisor on any shift can easily run the training session. All the trainer has to do is check off the outline items as he or she proceeds through the meeting, and trainees won't miss a single point of importance. Then the trainer can follow up with the fully prepared quiz (with instantly available answers) and illustrated handouts that also come with each lesson.
Human behavior is also affected by this 24-hour cycle.
These rhythmical processes are coordinated to allow for high activity during the day and low activity at night. For example, body temperature is highest during the afternoon and early evening, and lowest in the early morning, just before sunrise.
This rhythm is upset when shift workers turn their schedules upside down. When circadian rhythms are disrupted by working at night, they can get out of sync with other body rhythms and activity patterns. This can make workers feel tired and disoriented.
Since these rhythms affect so many different systems, the effects can spill into nearly every part of life—including work and home life.
Some rhythms can adapt in 2 or 3 days when an employee starts working shifts. Others may take much longer. Furthermore, people adapt to changes in work schedules at different rates.
But permanent change of circadian rhythms rarely occurs for most people because on days off they often go back to a normal day schedule, keeping the system in a constant state of change.
Safety and Health Effects
The effects of disrupting circadian rhythms can impact both a worker's safety and health.Workers may be less likely to respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies and more likely to have accidents and injuries.
Disruption of circadian rhythms brought about by shiftwork can also affect some preexisting medical conditions. For example, shiftwork can sometimes interfere with the treatment of certain diseases and medical conditions.
A few workers have become physically ill when switched to night shift. They may vomit, suffer light-headedness, or even have seizures. Fortunately, such extreme reactions are very rare.
But just to be safe, before moving to a night or rotating shift, workers should check with their doctor if they are being treated or taking medication for a preexisting medical condition.
Training for Under $6 a Session
To keep shiftworkers safe and healthy on the job, you have to make sure they're welled trained. But scheduling training for shiftworkers is not always so easy.A supervisor on any shift can easily run the training session. All the trainer has to do is check off the outline items as he or she proceeds through the meeting, and trainees won't miss a single point of importance. Then the trainer can follow up with the fully prepared quiz (with instantly available answers) and illustrated handouts that also come with each lesson.
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