Posted By Victoria I wondered if anyone could advise me of what the precise requirements are regarding health assessments for night workers.

Posted By Jeff Manion SHIFT WORKING What the employer can do.  Assess the risk. Consider work demands, schedule and the physical and mental characteristics of the workforce.  Raise awareness. Educate managers, day employees and shift workers about the need for sleep, the signs of sleepiness and preventative reassures.  Insert full spectrum lights in the workplace. A well lit workplace signals to the body that it is time to be awake and alert.  Provide vending machines with healthy food choices.  Schedule shifts to allow sufficient breaks and days off. Try to avoid too much overtime for shift workers.  Enable and support exercise breaks, especially on night shifts  Develop a napping policy. Employees on shift work often take a nap anyway, Better to condone and therefore plan and control napping so that it is done safely.  Be concerned about employees’ safety going to and from work. A large proportion of accidents among shift workers occur when driving home in the early hours on the morning – when body clock dips.  Try to minimise lone working. Boredom increase fatigue. Workers working together can look after each other. What the employee can do.  Take short beaks throughout the shift.  Try to work with a buddy. Talking with co-workers can help keep alert.  Try to exercise during breaks. Take a walk, climb the stairs or to go to the gym or fitness room if one is available.  Try to eat three normal meals a day. Eat healthy snacks, avoiding foods that may upset your stomach.  You may use caffeine. If you do though, do early in the shift i.e. before 3.00 am for the night shift.  Do not leave the most tedious r boring tasks to the end of the shift. This is when you are apt to feel drowsiest, especially around 4.00 am.  Exchange ideas with co-workers on how to avoid shift workers. Set up support group at work to spread support and learning.