Show Notes
Shift Work, Fatigue and Health: Are We Preparing People Properly? Shift work asks a lot of the human body. But are workers given the knowledge and support they need to manage its impact on their health and performance?
In this episode, Audra Starkey draws on more than 20 years of experience in aviation shift work to explore the often-overlooked demands of working outside conventional hours. From sleep and circadian rhythms to nutrition and recovery, the conversation examines what happens when work schedules conflict with the body's natural biological patterns.
Audra also explores the gap between what people expect shift work to involve and what it actually demands. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding circadian rhythms, the role of chrononutrition in managing eating patterns around shift work, and why effective fatigue management requires more than asking workers to take responsibility for their own well-being.
Organisational support, appropriate training and realistic recovery time all play a part in helping shift workers protect their health and perform safely.
Episode Highlights The difference between the perceived demands of shift work and its actual impact on the body
Why workers need a better understanding of the biological effects of shift work
How circadian rhythms influence sleep, alertness and recovery
The role of chrononutrition and meal timing in shift work health
The physical and mental health considerations associated with shift work
Why recovery time needs to be considered in roster and workload planning
The responsibility organisations have in supporting fatigue management
How better training and organisational support may help improve retention in shift-based roles
Managing shift work involves more than getting through a roster and catching up on sleep when the opportunity arises.
Workers need to understand how shift work affects their bodies, but organisations also need to recognise the demands involved and provide appropriate training, support and opportunities for recovery.
For safety professionals and leaders, this means looking beyond individual fatigue management strategies and considering how rosters, working conditions and organisational expectations influence health and performance.
Because fatigue management should not depend entirely on how well an individual copes. It should also consider how well the organisation supports them.
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