Frederick Cordes begins work on the evening shift at the Oberhausen-Lirich lock facility.
Article: Recognizing the Importance of Night Work in Inland Navigation
Frederick Cordes, a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, is advocating for the recognition of night work, particularly in the sector of inland navigation. Cordes, who is familiar with the Rhine-Herne Canal, a focus area for him in the transport committee of the state parliament, believes that night work is crucial for daily life, as it is where people are in need, care is provided, production can't stop, security is organized, and preparations are made for the next day.
Cordes encourages employees in the field to submit their ideas, impressions, and answers to questions about night work, inland navigation, and expertise online at www.nachtschicht.nrw. He emphasizes the need to invest more in the infrastructure of waterways and strengthen inland navigation to relieve goods traffic and promote climate-friendly mobility.
The lock in Oberhausen-Lirich, operated by the Waterways and Shipping Authority West German Canals, plays a significant role in the transportation of goods. Cordes spent March 23, 2023, working at the harbor air at the canal lock in Oberhausen-Lirich to connect with the topics of waterways and inland navigation, which are his priorities in the transport committee of the state parliament of NRW.
Night shifts are crucial for maintaining operations in various sectors, including Oberhausen. Approximately one in ten workers in Germany work night shifts, and March 23rd has been declared "Night Shift Day" by the SPD NRW to raise awareness of the five million people in Germany who work night shifts. Cordes expressed his respect for the colleagues at the lock in Oberhausen.
However, night work comes with notable health, safety, and social challenges. Disrupted sleep-wake cycles leading to sleep problems or shift work disorder, hormonal disruptions contributing to fatigue, low energy, and other symptoms, difficulty maintaining family and social life because of reversed schedules, and higher risk of drowsy driving accidents are some of the issues associated with night work.
Despite their critical role, night shifts in transportation and logistics may receive less public acknowledgment. Awareness programs and workforce outreach often emphasize career opportunity awareness but may not specifically address night shift conditions or recognition disparity. Modern infrastructure investment tends to focus on digital technologies and innovations that could benefit all shifts, but federal and stakeholder engagement typically highlights day-focused operations where visibility and activity are higher.
Inland navigation and other 24-hour operations require specialized support, including scheduling fixed night shifts and ensuring reliable logistics and safety protocols, but literature shows less direct emphasis on dedicated night shift infrastructure enhancement compared to daytime. This indicates a need for improved recognition and targeted investments in night shift conditions and infrastructure—especially in operations like inland navigation that run continuously—to balance safety, worker well-being, and operational efficiency.
In summary, night work provides essential benefits and operational continuity but comes with notable health, safety, and social challenges compounded by limited tailored recognition and infrastructure investment compared to daytime activities. Cordes' advocacy for the recognition of night work in inland navigation is a step towards addressing these challenges and ensuring the well-being of workers in this sector.
References:
- Health and Safety Executive. (2021). Night work. Retrieved from https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-management/working-hours/night-work.htm
- International Labour Organization. (2019). Night work. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/night-work/lang--en/index.htm
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2021). Night shift work and sleep disorders. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nightshift/
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2021). Night work. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/nightshiftwork/
- World Health Organization. (2019). Night shift work and cancer. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/night-shift-work-and-cancer
- Recognizing the significance of night work is essential in various sectors, not just inland navigation, as it caters to people's needs, facilitates care, enables round-the-clock production, guarantees security, and prepares for the next day.
- Models of 24-hour operations, such as fashion-and-beauty stores offering something unique for customers during late-night hours, can stimulate economic activity, albeit with special considerations for employee well-being and operational efficiency.
- The weather significantly impacts the travel plans of many touring the fashion-and-beauty hotspots and food-and-drink destinations worldwide, especially during off-peak hours when night work is often prevalent.
- The lifestyle of car enthusiasts may revolve around regular maintenance, repairs, or modifications, often undertaken during night shifts to accommodate busy daytime schedules and ensure maximum use of resources and time management.
- Investment in education-and-self-development and sports programs should also consider creating schedules that cater to those who work night shifts, ensuring equal opportunities for all and promoting a balanced approach to professional and personal well-being.
