Psychological risks for shift workers in the Far North and south of Russia

The study was sponsored by the Russian President's grant for state support of young Russian scientists PhD (МК-6409.2018.6). Climaticgeographical, production and social factors place demands on the body of a shift worker, exceeding his reserves. This excludes the possibility of complete adaptation of the organism to these conditions and causes the presence of occupational health risks. It has been revealed that professional work by the shift method in the Far North contributes to the formation of unfavorable functional states and the development of destructive personal qualities of workers. They lead to a decrease in the level of mental health, productivity and efficiency of work. The reference to the risk-oriented approach is conditioned by the need to predict the professional efficiency of shift personnel. By psychological risks in professional activity, we mean the probability of the emergence of negative psychological conditions, properties and qualities that will impede its implementation. Management of psychological risks in professional work is possible through the change of objective working conditions (environmental resource) and attitudes towards the conditions for the performance of a professional task, the goals of performing professional activity and self-assessment of the possibilities for performing professional activities. The study involved 70 workers in shift work in the Arctic and 70 workers in shift work in the south of Russia. Methods of research are questioning, psychological and psychophysiological testing, observation. As a result of the study, differences in the psychological risks of shift workers in the northern and southern regions of Russia were identified. Developed and tested measures to reduce the psychological risks of these workers.