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Numerous studies have documented that shift workers (i.e. those who regularly rotate work shifts from one schedule to another) suffer much higher incidence of many medical problems; likewise, the third shift is widely considered to be the most dangerous in terms of workplace accidents and industrial injuries (Lamond, Dorrian, Roach, et al., 2003).
Researchers have determined that there are several specific causes of the negative consequences associated with shift work, some of which are functions of circadian rhythm disruption while others are directly related to other factors, such as the quality and quantity of daytime sleep (Pauley, 2004). In most biological organisms, there is a complex circadian rhythm mechanism that is not yet understood precisely. In principle, that mechanism coordinates various biological processes, such as the secretion of various hormones, during sleep. According to evolutionary biologists, circadian rhythms evolved as means of adaptation to the natural 24-hour cycle of light and dark attributable to the rising and falling of the sun on the earth's horizon (Lamond, Dorrian, Roach, et al., 2003).
Researchers recommend the following three approaches to mitigating the potential consequences of night-time work shifts: (1) Regular rather than rotating work shifts; (2) Behavioral practices conducive to sufficient sleep; and (3) Light avoidance before and during daytime sleep (Lamond, Dorrian, Roach, et al., 2003; Pauley, 2004).
More specifically, it is not necessarily working overnights that is the root of the problem; rather, it is the continual rotation from one shift to another that prevents the circadian rhythm from adjusting in a manner that allows long-term adaptation of circadian functions. Therefore,...
The solution to that particular problem is to counsel night workers about the importance of establishing as regular (and complete) sleep cycles as daytime workers.
Finally, one of the more surprising aspects of circadian functioning is that it is much more sensitive to light than previously suspected (Pauley, 2004). In that regard, both exposure to light immediately before sleep (such as on the way home from work) and even the smallest amount of ambient light in the bedroom can disrupt circadian rhythms even when the individual sleeps a full eight hours in a semi-darkened room. The solution to that problem is to avoid light as much as possible after work, such as through the use of dark wrap-around sunglasses on the way home and the complete darkening of the bedroom so that absolutely no light is allowed to penetrate from outside.
References
Lamond, N., Dorrian, J., Roach, GD., McCulloch, K., Holmes, a.L., Burgess,
H .J., Fletcher, a., and Dawson, D. "The Impact of a Week of Simulated Night
Work on Sleep, Circadian Phase, and Performance" Occupational.
Environment,
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