FEATURE


is because melatonin has been suggested to have cancer protective properties, so decreased levels of this hormone may even lead to an increased risk of cancer. In addition, nightwork has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, and a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation. This is thought to be influenced by lifestyle factors, as night workers are more likely to smoke, adopt poor eating habits and not exercise enough, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). A study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology utilised information from 283,657-night workers in the UK Biobank database and found that the longer and more frequently that people worked night shifts over their lifetimes, the greatest their risk of atrial fibrillation and heart disease.


CHANGE IN METABOLISM Night workers are also more susceptible to metabolic


disorders. This includes an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a medical term for the combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. This is because the metabolism is mostly governed by hormones – the hormone leptin, for example, plays a critical role in regulating weight, blood sugar and insulin levels. As with melatonin, working nights interferes with the production and circulation of leptin.


INCREASED RISK OF DIABETES Hormonal imbalances, including that of leptin, can


then lead to obesity and diabetes. The hormone leptin and its receptors have been identified as key regulators of body weight and energy homeostasis, so even with a healthy diet, a leptin deficiency can still lead to obesity and diabetes in night workers. Various studies have demonstrated that nightwork comes with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and can even cause higher blood sugar levels in those already living with the condition. One study observed 270,000 people working irregular, rotating, and night shifts in the UK, and found that these workers were 44% more likely to have type 2 diabetes than dayworkers.


DEVELOPING MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS Natural light is vital to produce serotonin; a chemical in


the brain that regulates mood. Sunlight is something that night workers receive little of, given that their routine mainly consists of sleeping in the day and working through the night. This lack of natural light stimulus leaves night workers vulnerable to depression, mood disorders and even a depressive state that closely resembles seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Night workers can also develop depression for reasons unrelated to natural light deprivation. As a result of their backwards daily routine, night workers can essentially become segregated from the rest of society and cut off from friends and family. As previously established, it is common for night workers to not gain enough exercise and to adopt unhealthy eating habits, which are also key contributors to poor mental health.


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GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS Nightwork is linked to heightened stress levels, and the


body releases the hormone cortisol when it is stressed. High levels of cortisol are linked to a range of digestive issues, including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea and even the onset of IBS. In addition, the acid levels in the stomach change at night which can even lead to heartburn and stomach ulcers in night workers.


INCREASED RISK OF WORKPLACE INJURY Guidance from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states


that fatigued workers have decreased concentration, slower reaction times, reduced productivity, and impaired decision-making capabilities. Working whilst fatigued is hazardous for all night workers, but particularly to those who are required to drive, operate machinery or work at height. This is supported by The Youth Foundation, who conducted a study to analyse 50-night workers, and found they were three times more likely to experience a workplace accident compared to daytime workers. Last year, HSE revealed that 142 workers and 60 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents.


INCREASED RISK OF CAR ACCIDENTS In the same study conducted by The Youth


Foundation, they further found that night workers were twice more likely to get in a car accident on the way home from work. Driver fatigue is a serious issue resulting in many thousands of road accident each year, according to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), with research showing that it is a contributory factor in up to 20% of road accidents, and up to 25% of fatal and life-threatening accidents. Nightwork is also listed as one of the main reasons car accidents occur because of tired drivers.


VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY Vitamin D is essential for health and wellbeing and


is used by the body to absorb the calcium it needs to build and maintain bones. Exposure to sunlight is the most important natural source of vitamin D, so by working through the night, night workers do not get the vitamin D the body needs to function properly. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to a whole host of disorders including osteomalacia (softening of the bones), heart disease, diabetes, depression and even some types of cancer.


CONCLUSION Night workers are exposing themselves to an array of


health hazards every time they go to work, so perhaps the bigger question is, what measures can employers take to ensure the health and safety of their night employees?


By law, employers will need to ensure that employees do not work for longer than eight hours during the night in a 24-hour period. They must also carry out risk assessments to identify special hazards and work involving mental and/ or physical strain, and night workers should also be offered regular health assessments to determine whether they are still fit to undertake the work that they have been assigned.


www.healthscreenuk.co.uk 27


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