The modernization of our society has resulted in the availability of services 24 hours a day in many areas, giving birth to shift work. It has led to an improvement in production, better utilization of industrial equipment, and availability of resources around the clock. In addition to its advantages, shift work can also lead to several disasters and safety issues due to the alteration of the circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation, and sleep fragmentation. This chapter discusses the shift work system, biological rhythm misalignment due to shift work, safety related issues due to shift work, and health-related consequences secondary to the shift work system.
