In any industry, working overnight means you’ll be faced with a few unique challenges.
From low visibility to disturbed sleep patterns, workers must tackle the effects of nighttime work by using equipment tailored to their needs. Whether you’re a night owl freelancer, a rotational night shift worker or an entrepreneur, the right equipment makes all the difference.
5 essential kit considerations for any night worker
High-visibility clothing
According to your profession, using safety gear and personal protective equipment is critical for protecting yourself against workplace hazards.
If you’re working in public areas, streets or roadways, wearing reflective gear ensures that you can be easily seen by others. This reduces the risk of accidents and enhances overall safety at night. Your PPE shouldn’t be limited to just outerwear, either. Remember to protect your hands, eyes, and ears too.
Quality lighting solutions
Along with practical ambient lighting in the workplace, adjustable task lighting allows workers to focus on a particular area – and the details of each task, too. It’s one of the best ways to customise the direction and brightness of the light, as required.
Employers should consider portable options like desk lamps or clip-on lights with adjustable arms, which allow workers to focus light precisely where it’s needed. Additionally, flashlights and head torches are essential for those working outside at night.
Blue light blocking glasses
If you spend long periods looking at a screen during your night shift, it could be worth investing in a pair of blue light blocking glasses.
These specialised lenses filter out blue light wavelengths, which have been proven to trick our brains into think that it’s daytime. When that happens, you might experience trouble falling asleep, since the body stops releasing the sleep hormone melatonin. If you’d like to somewhat protect your sleep pattern despite working nights, minimising blue light exposure is essential.
Noise-cancelling headphones
Nighttime is often quieter than busy working hours during the day, but this can be distracting for some employees.
Furthermore, unwanted noise can disturb concentration and affect productivity too. With a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, those working independently can concentrate on the task at hand. Try to choose a pair with comfortable padding and high-quality audio to enhance your work experience, whether you’ll be listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or simply taking calls through the night.
Snacks and hydration solutions
Finally, as with any full shift, it’s important not to neglect basic physical needs if you’re a night worker. From staying hydrated to keeping your body energised, there are plenty of things to think about. Don’t forget a water bottle for working on the go.
Employers should ensure to provide comfortable, ergonomic furniture and designated rest areas for team members. When it comes to mealtimes, kitchen facilities should still be available for staff working through the night. Even if individuals might not feel like eating a hot meal, try to encourage healthy snacking and refuelling.
