The findings have implications for health workers and for any industry relying on shift work, such as transportation. More than 15% of workers in industrialized countries are involved in some shift time work, which may upset natural circadian rhythms or "body clocks."
In so-called shift work disorder (SWD), workers sleep only for short periods and consequently can become very sleepy during working hours. Sleepiness is thought to increase the risk of adverse events such as traffic crashes, occupational injuries and medical errors.