Schicht- und Nachtarbeit aus Sicht der Arbeitsmedizin

Summary

There is evidence that shift work may implicate a considerable health risk due to the disturbed circadian rhythm. It therefore poses a special challenge to Occupational Medicine. Since shift work itself cannot be eliminated from the world of labour, preventive measures have to be taken in order to keep the inherent risks in justifiable limits. This can be achieved by observing scientifically established rules concerning shift schedules and a close health surveillance of the employees, in particular of those who also do night shift work.