“The benefits of night work mask the negative effects on health”

2024-08-06 02:45:08

Lhe global rise in temperatures is responsible for frequent, more intense and longer heat waves, reinforced by urban overheating surprises. High temperatures affect the quality of life and health: anxiety, headaches, cognitive problems are often observed, and heat stroke can lead to serious consequences including death.

To limit the impact of heat waves, public policies are in place, promoting sun protection, shading devices and recycling of water and plants into the city. However, these solutions appear to be very advanced. This results in a change of lifestyles, especially a change in rhythms in favor of a cold night.

Night work is a solution to avoid traveling and working during temperature peaks. It is already practiced by farmers and construction workers. Working at night reduces risks related to heat and can help maintain productivity while reducing energy consumption, due to the use of air temperature. Night work also allows companies to develop the flexibility to enable the global workforce to collaborate around the clock.

We feel insecure

But these benefits mask another reality. The night city can be experienced as unwanted. Not all roads are paved and more and more roads are closed after a while. Pedestrians walking at night under insufficient lighting are at risk of falling, being hit by a car, and often feel unsafe.

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As for buildings, most are designed for daytime activities. They are not suitable for night work due to the lack of light, less damage, closed access, network maintenance, etc. These conditions complicate the tasks performed by people who already work there at night, such as security and maintenance workers.

Beyond the often inappropriate nighttime environment, night work is associated with proven negative effects on health, the result of shifts in working hours which disrupt the circadian biological clock and sleep. It therefore leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular, mental health, memory, cognitive and cancer disorders. Lack of daylight is also a factor in seasonal depression.

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