Working the Night Shift

One of the most difficult aspects of our trade is working the night shift.  Many facilities operated and maintained by Local 30 members function around the clock.  Since our body's entire sleep cycle is based upon light and dark, night shift workers have to fight against generations of programming.  For millennia people have been sleeping in the dark and waking in the light.  Humans have what is known as a biological clock that is based on a 24-hour cycle.  Small structures in the brain called suprachiasmatic nuclei set and adjust our biological clock.  These adjustments are regulated by the amount of sunlight detected by our eyes.  Studies have shown that our biological clocks can be reset with controlled periods of artificial light and darkness, however this can take up to three days.  These studies also affirm other investigations that have shown a three day effective recovery to jet lag.  Most people need at least 8 hours of sufficient sleep.  Some of society's greatest minds such as Albert Einstein claimed they needed up to ten hours of sleep to feel rested.  Our required sleep duration is directly influenced by the amount of time we remain awake.  Hence, the time we need to sleep can accumulate from lack of sleep.  Studies have shown that lack of sleep seriously degrades a person's ability to perform tasks.  Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, lack of concentration and drowsiness.

Proper sleep cycles are comprised of periods of light and deep sleep.  Eight hours of rest often consist of about five 45-minute periods of light sleep with five 45-minute periods of deep sleep.  The deep sleep cycles are the most important because this is when we nourish and restore body and brain functions.  Changing this rhythm can severely impede our sleep cycle.  Sleep deprivation has been linked to several incidents including the 1986 Chernobyl meltdown, the Three Mile Island nuclear calamity and the Exxon Valdez oil spill.  Furthermore, in 1986 the Columbia space shuttle nearly had a fatal launch due to fatigue of a night shift worker.  One-third of all drivers will fall asleep while driving at least once in their lifetime due to lack of sleep.  The Wall Street Journal reported in a 1988 study that there is an estimated $70 billion of lost productivity and mistakes due to night shift fatigue.  Night shift workers may have sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, high blood pressure, depression, mood swings and fatigue.

Members who work at night need to modify their sleep patterns to obtain proper rest.  Ensuring that you get proper sleep is a serious health and safety concern for yourself and others.  Lack of sleep could easily lead to serious injury or death in our line of work.  Moreover, falling asleep while driving home is just as deadly.  One of the most sobering experiences in my life was about fifteen years ago when I briefly fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from a double shift.  I worked 3-11 PM and an 11-7 AM back-to-back and was struggling to stay awake.  I momentarily fell asleep and was woken up when the tires went on the shoulder of the road.  A friend of mine totaled his car in a similar predicament.  We could have easily killed ourselves and others.  The best thing to do in a situation like this is to pull over and take a nap.  Nothing can replace lost sleep but sleeping.  When you are tired, instead of getting a cup of coffee or a cigarette, endeavor to make up for your lost sleep.  Avoid contemplating sleep to be a waste of time.  Your body needs this sleep.  Sleep allows our body and mind to reenergize, rejuvenate and restore.  Sleeping also enables the body to repair and renew tissue.  It allows the brain to organize long term memory and integrate new information.

Attempting to sleep immediately after a night shift can be difficult for some people.  There can be a need to wind down after a night of activity.  Day workers don't go home and immediately go to sleep either.  Some light reading or television may help you wind down.  Many seasoned night shift workers will read the morning paper before sleeping to get relaxed.  Sleeping during the day can be difficult because of light and noise.  The rest of the world is active and awake.  Daytime sleepers contend with obstacles such as daylight, barking dogs, children, lawn mowers, noisy neighbors and traffic.  Each hindrance should be defeated to ensure proper rest.  Daylight can be blocked out with good blinds or shades.  You could also hang a heavy blanket over the window or consider getting an eye mask.  Noise problems can be lessened with earplugs.  It could be helpful to turn off the phone ringer and make a kill switch for the doorbell.  It is best to avoid drinking coffee and smoking for at least four hours before sleeping.  Try to avoid using sleeping pills, they may help at first, but a night shift worker is more likely to become overly dependent on them.  It is also advisable to take a nap just before doing the night shift.

On the plus side, there are some advantages to working night shifts.  For one, there is typically less maintenance activity to contend with while working nights.  Traffic may be greatly reduced because it is likely that you will be commuting in the opposite direction.  Day shift workers often have to take off from work to do simple tasks like going to Motor Vehicles, attending a child's recital or a doctor's appointment.  Night shift workers usually experience little to no waiting at lines when banking, dining or shopping.