A shift-work model involves three root causes that are responsible for a myriad of risks; circadian rhythm disturbances, sleep debt, and family/social problems. In fact, these risk are recognized as symptoms of Shift work disorder (SWD), which is a clinically recognized condition that affect workers who work at during hours of circadian low or work on rotating shifts.
Shift work scheduling practices do not follow a well established criteria to achieve adequate rest for workers between shifts. The shift length is usually indifferent of the start time. On the other hand, the start time for shift workers are also indifferent of the timing of pervious or later shift. Even in a airline schedules, where set laws are present to prevent fatigue, rapid changes between shift start times are a normal occurrence.
Culpepper, L. (2010). The social and economic burden of shift-work disorder. The Journal of Family Practice, 59(1 Suppl), S3.
Tvaryanas, A. P., Miller, N. L., Colebank, J., Platte, W., & Swigart, C. (2008). A resurvey of shift work-related fatigue in MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system crewmembers.
Vicious circle related to shift work
Despite the inherent risks, shift-work model is a significant work model across the US, and thus having a direct effect on a considerable sector of the population. The figure below is a flowchart of the shift-work system and its associated risks. The risks affect human performance and the quality of life, these in turn react in a vicious-circle to further aggravate the risks, unless the person introduces coping methods to alleviate the situation (Tvaryanas, Miller, Colebank, Platte, & Swigart, 2008).
Comorbidities of SWD
Studies indicate that patients of SWD are more susceptible to experience comorbodities. The list includes metabolic and gastrointestinal disturbances, cardiovascular issues, cancer, reproductivity, sleep disorders, and anxiety disorders. However, research did not show a direct relation to longevity (Culpepper, 2010).
Cognition and accidents
Cognitive abilities like learning, memory, concentration, and work performance are severely affected by sleep debt. Studies reported that responses to visual stimulations were significantly affected on the start of a consecutive night-shift work schedule. Accident potential is higher even at the first night during such a schedule. In general, Shift workers are accident-prone; work related accidents are more likely to be associated by shift work, and commuters report a higher accident rate after a night shift compared to a day shift (Culpepper, 2010).Shift work scheduling practices do not follow a well established criteria to achieve adequate rest for workers between shifts. The shift length is usually indifferent of the start time. On the other hand, the start time for shift workers are also indifferent of the timing of pervious or later shift. Even in a airline schedules, where set laws are present to prevent fatigue, rapid changes between shift start times are a normal occurrence.
References
Culpepper, L. (2010). The social and economic burden of shift-work disorder. The Journal of Family Practice, 59(1 Suppl), S3.
Tvaryanas, A. P., Miller, N. L., Colebank, J., Platte, W., & Swigart, C. (2008). A resurvey of shift work-related fatigue in MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system crewmembers.
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