Can Shift Work Cause Sleep Apnea?

Emergency responders, healthcare professionals, transport operators, you name it — shift workers are the backbone of the essential industries that keep our community running. But when you work outside of a traditional 9-to-5, your body can often pay the price. Does that mean you can develop a shift work sleep disorder or sleep apnea? What would the symptoms even be? What’s the difference between the two? 

The answers are more complex than you may think. Although shift work itself may not directly cause something like sleep apnea, it can certainly cause something known as shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). It could also uncover underlying sleep apnea or exacerbate its symptoms. The two can overlap quite a bit and have consequences if left untreated. 

Let’s break down the link between shift work sleep disorder and sleep apnea, and why untreated cases among shift-based staff can put entire teams at risk.

What is shift work sleep disorder?

To understand SWSD, we need to define it. At its core, it’s a circadian rhythm disorder that occurs when your work schedule conflicts with your body’s internal clock. Your sleep-wake cycle is constantly disrupted if your job requires overnight, early morning, or rotating shifts. 

The resulting symptoms are: 

• Chronic insomnia 

• Excessive tiredness during the day 

• Decreased alertness when awake 

These symptoms tend to overlap with common signs of sleep apnea, save for the classic hallmark of snoring. That said, not every snorer has sleep apnea either. This can make obtaining a shift work sleep disorder diagnosis more difficult. 

When left untreated, shift work sleep disorder symptoms can lead to significant health consequences. From cardiovascular issues to reduced cognitive performance that can impact not just you, but those around you indirectly. What makes it especially dangerous is that it can hide in plain sight — its symptoms are often brushed off as just “part of the job.” 

A dangerous mentality for those who handle heavy machinery or require a sharp mind and fine motor skills to perform medical examinations and more. 

Understanding the overlap: sleep apnea and shift work

While shift work doesn’t necessarily cause sleep apnea, it can worsen the effects or make diagnosis more difficult. Here’s why: 

• Disrupted sleep cycles make it difficult for the body to enter and maintain deep, restorative sleep. This is when apnea events are often the most frequent.

• Daytime tiredness caused by poor sleep may be misattributed to a hectic schedule rather than underlying OSA.

• Workers may report chronic tiredness, irritability, and poor concentration. These are classic shift work sleep disorder symptoms and hallmark signs of untreated sleep apnea.

Because of this overlap, medical professionals face a significant challenge in managing one or both conditions. This is particularly true when multiple staff members are affected across a workforce. That said, it’s incredibly important to obtain a shift work disorder diagnosis or a sleep apnea diagnosis if you’re beginning to notice signs in yourself or your workers. 

Why it matters: the workplace risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea or SWSD

The negative impacts of fatigue and the increase of fatigue-related errors in areas such as the medical industry have been well documented. High-risk industries like emergency services and heavy vehicle operations mean that undiagnosed sleep disorders are more than mere personal health issues — they become public safety concerns. 

From paramedics making critical decisions under pressure to long-haul drivers operating heavy machinery, the consequences of poor sleep can be devastating. 

Employers have a duty of care — not just to safeguard their teams, but to protect the public and preserve business continuity. Proactively screening shift workers for sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Warning signs employers shouldn’t ignore

How can you tell if your staff is suffering from either sleep apnea or SWSD? Here are some key red flags to take note of: 

• Regular complaints of tiredness despite getting “enough” sleep

• Falling asleep during breaks or commutes

• Increased irritability, poor mood regulation, and an increase in interpersonal conflicts 

• Partners mentioning excessive snoring, restless sleep, or even gasping

• Difficulty concentrating on routine tasks or protocols

• Absenteeism and increased sick days

If the majority of these signs are fairly frequent, especially for shift-based teams, it’s time to express your concerns to your employees. 

Snoring and other overlooked symptoms

Although snoring is often dismissed as a nuisance, it can be a red flag for more serious health issues, especially for shift workers. Chronic snoring paired with fatigue and morning headaches may point to undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Learn more in What Is Snoring? and why it’s not something to ignore.

The first step: get your team tested

Before you learn how to treat shift work sleep disorder or sleep apnea, a diagnosis is the most important way to obtain meaningful treatment for yourself or your team. Fortunately, that’s now easier than ever thanks to at-home sleep testing options designed for both individual and large-scale use.

Employers can streamline the testing process using the Good Sleep Test at Home program from NSW CPAP rather than solely relying on time-consuming in-lab assessments. It’s fast, clinically backed, and designed for busy working adults — perfect for shift-based teams.

If you’re curious about how this compares to traditional sleep labs, you can read more on our blog, where we discuss At-Home vs. Lab Sleep Test Accuracy.

Bulk testing: a smarter move for business owners

If your team operates in shift-based roles, then investing in bulk sleep apnea is both a business strategy and a health initiative. The benefits of company-wide screening include:

• Improved safety and reduced liability

• Enhanced performance and fewer errors on the job

• Reduced absenteeism due to sleep-related health issues

• Positive workplace culture, demonstrating you value staff wellbeing

NSW CPAP offers Sleep Trials designed to support businesses in identifying and treating sleep disorders across teams. Whether you’re testing a crew of 10 or a fleet of 100, there’s a solution that fits.

What does a shift work sleep disorder diagnosis involve?

Getting a shift work sleep disorder diagnosis involves: 

• A sleep history and occupational profile

• Overnight sleep testing (at home or in-lab)

• A review of co-existing conditions, such as sleep apnea

• Analysis by a qualified sleep physician

After someone has been diagnosed, treatment plans can be tailored to suit personal health needs and professional responsibilities. Discover more about common misconceptions in 5 Myths About Home Sleep Apnea Tests You Shouldn’t Trust.

How to treat shift work sleep disorder and sleep apnea

Although sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder treatment may differ in some ways, there are enough similarities that don’t involve CPAP therapy. The key to effective treatment is individualised therapy, which can include: 

• Lifestyle modification: Prioritising consistent sleep routines, limiting stimulants, and optimising sleep environments.

• Melatonin or light therapy: Used to help regulate circadian rhythms for shift workers.

• Education and fatigue management: Equipping staff with tools to recognise fatigue, manage sleep debt and prioritise their sleep health.

More treatment information is available in our guide to Why Sleep Testing is Now Easier Than Ever.

Final thoughts: a wake-up call for employers

Excessive tiredness isn’t just a side effect of a shift-based job, especially ones with high-responsibility roles. It can be a medical risk and a liability. Shift work sleep disorder treatment and sleep apnea therapy can be central to maintaining workplace safety, good employee health, and operational success.

Bulk testing your team now can help you avoid major risks later and prevent costly accidents or absences. With NSW CPAP, the pathway from diagnosis to treatment is efficient, evidence-based, and designed to scale.

Don’t wait for signs of burnout or disaster to strike. Prioritise your staff’s sleep health and watch performance, safety, and morale rise. Get in touch with us today about bulk testing your team.