[Are sleep difficulties in night work a problem for the offshore industry?].

Nov 10, 2004Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke

Are sleep problems during night shifts a concern for offshore workers?

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗

Abstract

Night shifts on oil platforms are associated with sleeping difficulties.

Employees working night shifts in the Norwegian offshore industry may experience challenges related to sleep.
The unique environment of offshore installations may support better biological adaptation to night work than onshore settings.
Light therapy could help individuals readapt to normal daytime functioning after returning home from night shifts.
The initial level of functioning during the first night shifts may be lower than optimal.
Limited research exists on adaptation to night work in the offshore sector, indicating a need for more empirical studies.

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BACKGROUND: Shift work is increasingly used in industry and services; in the Norwegian offshore industry approximately 6750 employees work night shifts. We wanted to look into the implications of night shifts on sleep and circadian rhythm, with particularly focus on the offshore sector.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted literature searches on Medline, covering the period from 1966 to 2003; only eight studies pertaining to the offshore activity in the North Sea with emphasis on sleep and night work were identified.

RESULTS: Night shifts on oil platforms were associated with sleeping difficulties. The isolated setting on the installations in the North Sea probably facilitates biological adaptation to night work compared to work onshore. Light therapy has a documented effect for re-adaptation to normal daytime functioning upon returning home.

INTERPRETATION: Night work disturbs sleep. The level of functioning during the first night shifts is probably lower than the optimal level of functioning. Only a few studies of adaptation to night work in the offshore industry have been conducted and little research has been done concerning swing shifts in the North Sea. The field is obviously in need of more empirically based knowledge.

[Are sleep difficulties in night work a problem for the offshore industry?].

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