Shift work has been linked to many diverse health effects, including

everything from heart disease, back problems, high blood pressure and
even cancer. To date, many companies have used a wide variety of
strategies to help keep shift workers healthier, well rested and safe. But very
often these strategies take the more “common sense” approach rather than
that of scientifically validated best practices.
But a recent article published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work,
Environment & Health (November 2014 edition) documented ways in which
companies can have greater confidence in health-providing strategies that
work, as well as which ones don’t work. There is wide array of interventional
techniques that have been extensively researched, including shift
scheduling, controlling workers’ exposure to light, and behavioral and
pharmacological approaches.
According to the research, four specific strategies seemed to provide the
best possible effect on chronic disease.

Fast-Forward Shift Rotations

The first strategy had to do with the scheduling of the shifts that workers
followed. The best option seemed to be fast-forward rotating shifts. That
means two morning shifts, to evening shifts, and two overnight shifts,
followed by two to three days off. When workers followed this work
schedule, they appeared to have the best short-term health benefits,
including such things as less sleepiness. They also had more long-term
health benefits, such as increased resistance to chronic illnesses.
While not every company will be able to rework their entire work schedule to
accommodate this type of fast-forward rotating shifts, some changes to
shift schedules can be implemented right away. For example, if a
company’s employees are on a fixed schedule or a backward rotation,
schedules can be adjusted so that they are working on a fast-forwarding
schedule. If workers are scheduled on a slow-forward rotation – in other
words, they are rotating shifts every few weeks or every few months – then
this rotation can be gradually reduced until workers are scheduled on a fast-
forward rotating schedule.
Keeping workers in the loop as schedules are adjusted and educating them
as to how research supports this rescheduling as a health benefit will help
reduce resistance and keep them on board with the new changes.
Light Exposure Changes
The body makes physiological adjustments based on bright light. Exposure
to bright light can effectively reset the body’s internal clock. So modifying
workers’ exposure to light and blocking light can help increase productivity
and keep employees more alert at the appropriate times and less alert at
other times.
Another approach is to use blue light. Blue wavelength of light suppresses
the body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates
sleep. This can have a profound effect on an individual’s wakefulness. For
this reason, exposure to bright light – especially bright light that has blue
wavelengths, such as those produced by modern energy-efficient bulbs –
during the working shift can heighten workers’ alertness by causing a
hormonal “phase shift” in their bodies’ natural circadian rhythms.
This type of phase shift light exposure already has been proven to be
effective in treating jet lag and for helping space workers. But it remains to
be proven effective in daytime light exposures for shift workers. Yet by
combining the right light exposure with light-blocking glasses at the end of
the workers’ shifts – such as during their commute home or for a few hours
before sleeping – the effects of off-shift light exposure can be improved.
Certain types of glasses that actually block the blue wavelength of light can
be used.
To improve energy use and heighten employee awareness, one approach is
to replace workplace lighting with modern energy-efficient bulbs that shine
brighter and also provide a higher spectrum of blue light. Companies also
can provide workers with blue-blocking sunglasses as part of their work-
related working gear and educate them on how to use these devices to
improve their sleep cycles.

Benefits of Physical Activity

In the same way that light exposure can make workers more productive on
the job and more rested during off-work hours, physical activity also can
improve alertness. A regular workout regimen also has a positive effect on
overall health, building strength, controlling weight and strengthening the
body’s natural immune system so that workers don’t get sick as often.
Yet shift work can often create challenges to workers being active.
Following a regular workout schedule or going to the gym can be more
difficult for shift workers.
One way companies can promote physical activity for shift workers is by
providing on-site workout facilities. While other options – such as local
gyms, walking paths and other types of fitness facilities – may not always
be an option, workers can easily take advantage of such built-in facilities as
exercise rooms, walking course, swimming pools and other opportunities to
be physically active during breaks and before and after their shifts.
By providing on-site workout options and encouraging shift workers to be
more active, companies can improve the alertness and productivity of their
employees while improving their overall health and fitness at the same
time.

Creating a Culture of Health

Shift work, by its very nature, creates an impediment for health eating.
Workers are often forced to make food choices that are convenient, rather
than healthy. Fast food, junk food and other unhealthy options are the norm
rather than the exception, in many cases. And on the job, workers often
must eat quickly during limited lunch breaks and other pauses in the work
day.
A healthy body is more resilient and provides companies with workers who
are more productive, alert and efficient. Yet workers on nonstandard shifts
often find it next to impossible to follow a healthy diet.
Companies can counteract that by ensuring that the kinds of foods
provided at on-site dining facilities and break rooms include healthier
choices. Workers also can be provided with healthy eating tips and be given
incentives to improve their diets at home. These can include such things as
free healthy cooking classes, coupons or subsidies for fresh produce and
grains, and recipes for easy to make healthy meals.