August/1998
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WORKING NIGHTS HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDE
Martin Moore-Ede Circadian Information 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140-2314 34 pages, paperback, $17.97 (10 or more, $5.27 each)
Reviewed by Lynne Lamberg
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The high cost of this small brochure surely deters shiftworkers from
buying it on their own. Even the bulk rate may not be low enough to
entice employers to order large quantities. Perhaps it simply is a
promotional tool for Circadian Technologies, Inc., the shiftwork
consulting firm the author founded and directs.
That's too bad, because it is easy-to-read, concise, and crammed
with practical tips. Moore-Ede, formerly a researcher in biological
rhythms at Harvard, highlights key issues for those who work at
night: the impact of circadian rhythms on performance, sleep, health,
and family life.
He starts by pointing out that body temperature falls at night, whether
or not you sleep. At daily lows, he explains, waves of sleepiness
wash over you at intervals, your head feels heavy, you don't feel
hungry, your reaction time becomes much slower than normal, and
your memory is not as sharp.
These facts, Moore-Ede explains, affect work performance and job
safety: "As your attention drifts, your mind wanders. Careless errors
tend to occur, sometimes with grave consequences. You may miss
things you would normally respond to." The high risk times, he says,
are between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., your first 2 night shifts after working
days or several days off, early hours of the day shift, near the end of
your shift, when activity levels are high in your work area, and driving
home after the night shift.
He tells how to improve sleep ("Seek absolute darkness); curb
indigestion ("Avoid fatty foods,"); and help family harmony ("Plan a
'family day' once a month.") Valuable advice. Is it worth $17.97 to
you?
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