Fermi National Laboratory


Accelerator Update

About the Fermilab Accelerators

Even during shutdown of accelerator operations, mechanics, electricians, surveyors, cryo and water specialists, computer experts, and many other people keep working. Work goes on and problems can appear at any time, night or day. When accelerators are in operation, they run around the clock and 24-hour coverage is even more important. When equipment breaks down, people have to come in and make repairs.

Coping with Shift Work

Over 20 million U.S. workers (nearly 25% of the labor force) work an "irregular shift" and the majority of those people work a night shift. Even though a lot of people do it, shift work isn't easy. Research indicates that some shift workers may suffer from decreased job performance, increased health problems, mood swings, and sleep disorders. To resolve these problems, it helps to understand why they arise. Everyone has a biological clock, a circadian rhythm that guides his or her sleep and wake times and core body temperatures. Trying to adjust this clock to a night rhythm is difficult, especially since sunlight resets a person's daytime preference. Shift work disrupts your clock just as jet lag does, without the pleasures of visiting London or Tahiti.

How do people cope? First and foremost, they have to adjust their lifestyle. Night shift workers need to follow a few simple strategies that help reset their internal pacemaker: 1) Go to sleep at the same time every day; 2) Turn off the phone - let an answering machine take messages; 3) Darken the bedroom - when you sleep days light is a bad thing; 4) Exercise and eat healthy; 5) Carefully track caffeine usage - drinking coffee or pop at the beginning of a shift is good, but at the end of shift it's bad; 6) Make sure friends and family know your sleep schedule; 7) Try to get 8 hours of sleep.

Human beings are diurnal; they are active during the daylight hours and dormant during the night. The consequences of altering that cycle and disturbing normal sleep by working a night shift are important. Physically, it means that sleep loss impairs memory and one's ability to concentrate and learn. It affects reasoning and even the ability to perform simple math. Basically, you can lose motivation.

Sleep is a vital part of life. But why do we sleep? Its purpose is more than rest and it's more than a method of conserving energy or an ancient strategy for avoiding danger. Much research has gone into understanding the function of sleep, but even so many aspects of sleep remain a mystery. One aspect of sleep that perplexes researchers offers good news for shift workers. Even though cumulative sleep loss may cause temporary physical and emotional health problems, a good sleep or two cures all.

Successful adaptation to shift work depends on lifestyle adjustments and getting family and friends' support. The ability to manipulate circadian rhythms and one's home environment will determine a worker's alertness during the night shift.

last modified 10/23/2001   email Fermilab

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