Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Tip 9: Alertness and Night Shifts
If we are getting tired, the frequency of the brain slows down. As soon
as it gets dark, the production of a special sleep hormone (melatonin)
increases, preparing the body to literally cool down. Special cells in the
retina (light detectors in the eye) send messages to the brain so that it
can prepare itself for the coming night. With increasing melatonin,
alertness decreases.
This is the reason we become less careful during night shifts. The
best remedy for this unwanted decrease in alertness is exposure to
high-intensity light of a bluish color (for example, the special tubular
light from Philips called Activity Light). This light mostly resembles
natural sunlight. It is advisable to check the amount of lumen in the
rooms where the night shift is usually working (for example, the con-
trol room) and to increase the amount of light if there is a significant
difference in the amount of light during the day.
Employees who just finished the night shift (or with jetlag) can have
problems falling asleep and should consult a general practitioner. The
doctor might prescribe a small dose of melatonin to catch up with a
normal sleeping rhythm.
