Living with Shiftwork Safety Meeting Series

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Living with ShiftworkSafety Meeting Series
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Introduction

• Shiftwork has been around for centuries
• bakers
• ancient Rome restricted deliveries to night-time
• Key difference is rotation
• The body must adapt to each change
• Its not a job its a way of life!!

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Introduction

• Any work outside the hours of 700 a.m. to 600
  p.m.
• Statistics Canada estimates 30 of Canadians work
  shifts
• 20 cant cope and quit
• 20 cope reasonably well
• 60 struggle with it

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Why do you work shiftwork?
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Effects of Shiftwork

• Short and Long Term
• Health Effects
• Social Effects
• On the Job Effects

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Short-term Health Effects

• Gastro-intestinal problems
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• Junk food junkies and caffeine freaks
• The body simply doesnt function as well

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Long-term Health Effects

• Sleep disorders
• chronic fatigue
• insomnia
• Substance abuse
• alcohol is used as a tool to relax and get to
  sleep
• tobacco and other stimulants are used to stay
  awake
• Heart problems
• poor diet, increased smoking and stress

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Social Effects

• Affects your role as caregiver, parent, social
  companion
• Family relationships
• irritability
• mood swings and stress
• Community relationships
• attend events
• participate in social and recreational activities

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On the Job Effects

• Job performance and safety
• job dissatisfaction
• attention to detail suffers
• peripheral hallucinations
• temporary loss of memory
• shift paralysis

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The Science of Sleep

• The human body has its own time clock which runs
  on a 24-hour schedule and is affected by
  darkness, light and mealtimes. This is known as
• Circadian Rhythm.

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Shopping List for Better Sleep

• Good mattress
• Dark blinds/heavy drapes
• Eye mask ear plugs
• Answering machine
• Fan for white noise

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Tips for Better Sleeping

• Design your sleep area for sleep
• Avoid eating/drinking too close to bedtime
• Avoid alcohol before going to bed
• Avoid smoking before bed
• Exercise regularly to promote better sleep
• Go to bed when you are drowsy
• Keep your job interesting

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Solutions for the Employer

• Low cost
• Bright lights
• Good ventilation
• Interaction
• Job rotation
• Higher cost
• Design of work station
• Eating facilities/extend hours
• Health club memberships

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Other Ideas?

• Child care
• On the job exercise
• Extend HR/Upper management coverage and contact
• Allow music
• Keep work areas freshly painted and bright

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Shiftwork Summary

• Shiftwork is a way of life for many of us
• It will continue to increase
• Start by assessing your individual situation
• Look for ways to change
• sleeping habits (shopping list)
• eating habits
• exercise