Demand for research into health impact of erratic work schedules

Trade union Siptu has called on the Government to commission and fund research on the health risks associated with shift work, as growing evidence emerges that erratic work schedules can lead to serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

It also wants the Health and Safety Authority, when conducting inspections, to insist employers carry out an assessment of the increased health risks to staff where they operate shift work schedules.

“Rotating shifts, rather than those that follow a fixed pattern, are the cause of greatest concern,” said Siptu official Sylvester Cronin. “Women on long-term shift work can be particularly affected.”

Mr Cronin decried the absence of hard evidence. “We have very good research facilities in this country but we are very poor at doing studies on workplace health and safety,” he said.

“Conditions like type 2 diabetes have to be managed rather than cured so the health costs fall on the State. In that event, it would be well worth the Government’s while to fund badly needed research in this area.”