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shift work via Shutterstock
RISKY BUSINESS
SIPTU says shift work is damaging to health and is calling for a Government study
Research from other countries shows shift work can lead to cancer and diabetes.
SIPTU IS CALLING on the Government to carry out research into the health risks associated with shift work.
The trade union says that rotating shift work can be particularly dangerous – leading to serious health conditions.
Siptu official, Sylvester Cronin, told TheJournal.ie that the research shows women working shifts have an increased risk of breast cancer, while men have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
A lot of the research on the health implications of shift work has been carried out in Scandinavian countries.
Cronin said that Ireland knows very little about it, adding, “I’m not sure if Scandinavian research would hold true for Ireland.”
He said that Irish employers should carry out assessments:
Employers must carry out health risk assessments where staff work shifts.
“The end goal is that risk assessments can be put in place and workers health taken care of.”
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