FEATURE
NIGHT FEVER
Scarlet Lewitt, at Healthscreen UK, outlines the increased risks and dangers that night workers are exposed to.
It has long been speculated that nightwork comes with adverse health risks. We can trace contemporary shift work back to the rise of industrialism in the 19th century, where workforces were split into a day crew and a night crew that typically rotated every two weeks. The first crew would work 12-hour shifts across 13 straight days, immediately followed by 13 straight night shifts, with one day off at the end before starting this deadly work pattern all over again. The overall health of these workers deteriorated, and there were high rates of workplace accidents and injuries, but with no federal overtime, workers’ compensation, third-party liability or HSE regulations, employers had little incentive to consider the health and safety of their workers.
“THE LONGER AND MORE FREQUENTLY THAT PEOPLE WORKED NIGHT SHIFTS OVER THEIR LIFETIMES, THE GREATEST THEIR RISK OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND HEART DISEASE.”
Nowadays, the risks of nightwork are no longer elusive; yet around 20% of workers in developed countries still work permanent or rotating night shifts. The night period is 11pm to 6am, and employees who regularly work at least three hours during the ‘night period’ are classified as night workers. Almost 1.5 million people regularly work nights in the UK, and whilst nightwork does remain a significant part of the modern economy, certain studies have shed light on a vulnerable and inadequately supported workforce,
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whose members are predominantly unaware of the risks they face on a nightly basis.
DISTURBANCE TO CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and
behavioural changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. They are essentially the body’s internal clock that regulate and influence many bodily functions including hormone release, digestion, and body temperature – but most importantly, the sleep-wake cycle. Humans are diurnal, meaning that we are most alert and responsive during the daytime, so if we regularly work through the night, a misalignment can occur between the body and circadian rhythms. In turn, this can cause a range of health problems, including most on this list and sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnoea.
SUPPRESSED MELATONIN The lack of light experienced by night workers is
known to suppress the production and release of melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for the sleep-wake cycle and is released at night whilst we sleep. The production of melatonin increases with evening darkness to promote a healthy sleep and help orient our circadian rhythms. It controls our sleeping patterns, so by working through the night and sleeping during the day, night workers are essentially working against the release of melatonin. A decrease in melatonin levels means that even by sleeping during the day, the most important stages of sleep, deep sleep and REM, will rarely be reached and can result in long-term sleep deprivation.
INCREASED RISK OF DISEASE Nightwork has been linked to a greater risk of
developing various diseases, including cancer. Beyond its sleep-promoting benefits, research has shown that melatonin can also stop tumour growth and protect against the spread of cancer cells. This
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