Shift work affects performance and attentivenes of an individual and this leads to accidents.
Circadian rhythm will be disturbed
due to shift work. Cicadian rhythm won’t sycnchronises to day time sleep. Day time sleep is less refreshing.
Barton’s(1994), and Reid(1997) classified health
problems due shift work into three groups,” they are problems due to disturbance of
circadian rhythm, physical and psychological problems due to fatigue, and problems associated with disruption of family life. shift work disrupts attention and concentration and leads to serious mistakes and huge damages . “Chernobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe was because of human error as a result of night work”, “The environmental disaster of Exxon Valdezoil spill is also linked to human error and fatigue”.These are best evidences for damages caused by shift work.
Canadian center for occupational Health and safety (2006) is stating that disruption of concentration of an individual and changes in the reaction time are caused by changes in the the circadian rhythm.Thus they are more prone for accident. Canadian center for occupational Health and safety (2006) is statingcircadian rhythmsregulates many of body functions like sleeping; waking, and digestion, secretion of adrenaline body temperature, blood pressure, pulse and human behavior. Disorientation in the in the circadian rhythm due to night shifts can lead to feelings of fatigue and disorientation .Health problems like chronic fatigue ,gastro intestinal disorders and cardiovascular disorders are caused by frequent shift duties.
Irregular timings of workers leads to development of unhealthy life style
Shift workers are more prone to adapt unhealthy eating habits .Due to irregularities in meals timings and lacking of knowledge in adapting to timings,they are usually habituated to take junk food. To get over their fatigue and to keep them stay awake in the nightthey take coke, coffee, tea, which
cause gastro intestinal problems like indigestion, heart burn, stomach ache and loss of appetite.Usually people working in the nights smoke to avoid lonely ness and boredom. Smoking causes cardiovascular problemsSocial and family life will be disturbed by shift duties Social contacts will be reduced by shift work time spending with family members will also be reduced.Opportunities to interact in social activities like attending clubs attending to get-together parties will reduced. These conditions lead to development of mental health problems.