summarize ways that shiftwork might affect safety, health, or ability to
do the job. Some of these things happen very soon after starting shift-
work. We talk about these under Immediate Effects. Health changes
take a longer time to appear. We talk about health under Long-Term
Health Effects.
Immediate Effects
Sleep
Soon after starting shiftwork, people notice changes in their sleep.
Night workers usually get the least amount of sleep. Evening shift-
workers get the most sleep, and day shiftworkers get a medium
amount of sleep. Night workers are forced to sleep during the day,
when their circadian rhythm makes them feel more awake. Day sleep
is usually shorter than night sleep--sometimes two or three hours
shorter. Day sleep also is lighter than night sleep. Day sleepers often
say they don't sleep as deeply as they do at night. Because their sleep
is lighter, they are easily awakened by sounds. This makes sleeping
difficult. Since there is more activity during the day, there are more
sounds to wake up the sleeping shiftworker. Both permanent night
workers and rotating shiftworkers sleep worse when working nights.
However, rotating shiftworkers sleep the least of all.
Sleep loss makes it much easier to fall asleep at inappropriate times.
This affects a worker's ability to perform safely and efficiently.
Sleepiness can affect performance both on and off the job. Driving to
and from work is a major concern. Sleepiness affects our ability to
concentrate or pay attention, and driving requires us to pay attention
at all times. So, if a person is sleepy, it is easier to have an accident.
Several jobs, such as operating dangerous machinery, also require us
to pay attention at all times. So sleepiness can be risky in many differ-
ent occupations. This risk is not simply a matter of falling completely
asleep. After sleep loss, it is possible to have very brief periods of
sleep that last only a few seconds. Most people may not even realize
14
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Plain Language About Shiftwork
Summary :
Immediate Effects Sleep Soon after starting shiftwork, people notice changes in their sleep. Evening shift- workers get the most sleep, and day shiftworkers get a medium amount of sleep. Day sleep also is lighter than night sleep. Both permanent night workers and rotating shiftworkers sleep worse when working nights. After sleep loss, it is possible to have very brief periods of sleep that last only a few seconds.
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