Physical work environment risk factors for long term sickness absence: prospective findings among a cohort of 5357 employees in Denmark

Abstract

Objectives To examine the effects of physical work environment on long term sickness absence and to investigate interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors. Design and setting Prospective cohort study of long term sickness absence among employees in Denmark. Participants 5357 employees interviewed in 2000 about their physical work environment, and various covariates were followed for 18 months in a national sickness absence register. Outcome measurements Cox regression analysis was performed to assess risk estimates for physical risk factors in the work environment and onset of long term sickness absence, defined as receiving sickness absence compensation for eight consecutive weeks or more. Results 348 participants (6.9%) developed long term sickness absence during follow-up. Of these, 194 (55.7%) were women and 154 (44.3%) were men. For both female and male employees, risk of onset of long term sickness absence was increased by extreme bending or twisting of the neck or back, working mainly standing or squatting, lifting or carrying loads, and pushing or pulling loads. Significant interactions were found for three combinations of physical and psychosocial work environment risk factors among female employees (P < 0.05). Conclusion Uncomfortable working positions, lifting or carrying loads, and pushing or pulling loads increased the risk of onset of long term sickness absence. The study shows a potential for reducing long term sickness absence through modifying work postures straining the neck and back, reducing the risk of work done standing or walking, and reducing the risk associated with handling loads. Dealing with psychosocial stressors simultaneously may improve physical intervention efforts further for female employees.

Work environment as predictor of long-term sickness absence: Linkage of self-reported DWECS data with the DREAM register

“…In two studies on risk factors for LTSA [2,3], population and methods were the same as in the paper on groups at risk mentioned above [1]. In one study on organisational factors [4], information on the work-site level (interviews with human resource management representatives) was linked with employees in DWECS 1995 and an early version of DREAM.…”

“…Two scales measured physical workload, e.g. lifting or carrying loads [2]. Psychosocial work environment factors were measured with 13 scales, e.g.…”

“…Variables: In the DREAM register, LTSA spells ( Figure 1) were of at least 8 weeks [2,3] or at least 10 weeks [4]. DWECS: Physical work environment was measured with five scales.…”

“…Within the research field of LTSA at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment, a number of research topics emerged: (a) Groups at risk for LTSA [1] (b) Risk factors for LTSA [2][3][4][5] (c) Fractions of LTSA attributable to work environment and lifestyle [6,7] (d) Mechanisms behind the possible association between work environment and LTSA [4,[8][9][10]. These topics will be described below.…”

“…The present overview discusses ten papers on work environment as a possible risk factor for long-term sickness absence (LTSA) linking selfreported cross-sectional data with prospective register data [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Self-reported cross-sectional data were extracted from the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS) at the National Research Centre of the Working Environment [11,12].…”