There have been several reports and investigations recently looking at the dangers of working shifts and at night time. This issue is already important for tube workers who can do shifts around the clock, but as tube bosses plan for the service to go 24 hours this becomes even more salient.
Recent reports suggest a number of issues such as depression, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, greater risk of injury and possibly cancer.
TUC Report
The Trade Union Congress has written a report on the danger of shift work. The report details the serious health problems linked to working nights o r doing shifts, and explains how both these working patterns are becoming more common.
been more emphasis on its effects on those who work shifts as we are perceived to be moving towards a ‘24-hour society’.
Much of the attention has been on the health effects which can be considerable. There is a significant body of evidence that shift work, and in particular night work, can lead to cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes and breast cancer. Shift work is also linked to stomach problems and ulcers, depression, and an
increased risk of injury.
You can read the TUC report here (pdf).
HSE Report
A second report by the Health and Safety Executive looks at occupational cancer and says an increasing number of these cancers may be as a result of shift working.
Read the HSE report here (pdf).
BBC Radio 4 Investigation
BBC Radio 4 has investigated the negative effects of working at night and lists the following issues:
Bloodshot eyes and mismatched socks may be visible signs of overnight working, but Radio 4’s The Night Shift uncovers how shift work also takes its toll beneath the surface. Here are seven facts about the harm that working nights can do to you."
You can read the 7 facts that they have reported here
You can also listen to the Radio 4 programme 'The Night Shift' which looks into the damage that working nights does to your health.
- 3513 reads
