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Yesterday, we looked at two interventions that, according to the most recent research, can help shiftworkers combat fatigue. Today, we will look at two more.
Eat right and get some exercise
It makes sense that the things that would help anyone stay healthy would work for shiftworkers, too—but sometimes, the things that sound like “common sense” don’t show any noticeable effect when the research is done. But the research-supported verdict is in on healthy diet and exercise: these strategies will not only keep shiftworkers healthier in general, they will also help shiftworkers stay safe on the job. Here’s what you can do to support workers’ overall health and nightshift safety:
Physical activity. Like light exposure, physical activity can improve alertness, and it also has a positive impact on overall health. Shiftwork, though, can make it difficult to be active on a regular schedule.
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Action item: Employers can help by providing on-site facilities that shiftworkers can use when other options (local gyms or walking trails, for example) are not available. Providing an exercise room, a walking course, or other chances for workers to be physically active during breaks will improve their alertness and their health.
Healthy diet and health promotion. A healthy body is more resilient, but workers on nonstandard shifts may have difficulty eating a healthy diet.
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Action item: Ensure that foods provided at the workplace are healthy, and offer workers tips and incentives to improve their diets at home, such as cooking classes, coupons for healthy foods, and recipes for healthy meals.
Need more wellness tips you can use? You’ll find them on Safety.BLR.com®.
Just wondering if the author has done any extensive ‘shift work’. In most cases our culture makes on going ‘day sleeping’ difficult if not nearly impossible.
Building in task variety, periodic ‘checking in’ team tasking, and mobility need to be built into shift work. Some of these activities may not be essential to task performance, but how long could you sit and watch four-screen security monitors? What would keep you alert while supervising highly automated production process machinery, (including driving!)?
We can learn from the space program where each crew member had assigned activities that required a physical response.
In many cases the shift worker is already tired on arriving at the job site. As mentioned, good physical condition is important, but would you spend time cooking or going to a gym when you could be sleeping?
Shift work takes training and conditioning. Establishing a personal routine, avoiding TV induced rest, keeping the shift rotation long enough to minimize readjusting day-night tempo are important considerations