Industrial workers on a rotating shift pattern: adaptation and injury status.

Over 11 million Americans work some type of shift pattern. Numerous health and safety issues result when workers follow a rotating shift schedule. Over 5 million work-related injuries occur annually in the United States at a cost of almost $48 billion. Disrupted circadian rhythms and fatigue from rotating shifts have been implicated as a cause of traumatic injuries. This study revealed that factors related to circadian type, effects of the work environment, and coping styles explained over 51% of the variance in adaptation scores for this group of rotating shiftworkers. Adaptation levels were not significantly different for the injured and non-injured groups of shiftworkers. Findings of this research suggest that education on the effects of circadian rhythm disruption and more effective ways of coping may be justified. Also, additional research related to adaptation and injuries is needed.