CIRC 008: THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EFFECTS OF NIGHT WORK

The TUC have recently conducted research into the effects of night work on workers. The research investigated workers’ experience of night work and the impact it has on their lives. As well as the TUC research, there is strong evidence in existing literature of a link between night work to negative health outcomes including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and metabolic disorder, with weaker links to cancer, reproductive disorders and mental health. Proposed biological pathways for these associations are related to circadian rhythm disturbance and sleep deprivation, as well as social desynchronisation.

The research highlighted that there was limited evidence of specific employer support for night workers and an apparent move away from onsite occupational health services available to night workers.

The POA are aware that employers where our members work do offer occupational health appointments every 12 months for workers undertaking regular nights. However, these appointments are not mandatory, and we have anecdotal evidence that very few night workers take the employer up on this offer.

The Executive would urge all workers who regularly undertake night work to take up this offer of occupational health support in order to protect their health and safety. Workers should contact their line manager in order to arrange an appointment.

Please bring this circular to the attention of all members.

 

Yours sincerely

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary