Work environment factors, health, lifestyle and marital status as predictors of job change and early retirement in physically heavy occupations

Abstract

Background The aim was to assess the rate at which waste collectors and municipal workers leave their job, to establish the outcome and to identify associated risk factors within work environment, health, lifestyle and marital status. Methods A questionnaire‐based survey among a cohort of 2,918 waste collectors and municipal workers was performed in 1994, with follow‐up 2.5 years later. Results Twenty‐five percent had left the job at follow‐up. Of these, 31% had changed jobs (associated with low decision authority), 16% were unemployed (associated with low skill discretion, pushing heavy loads and extreme bending of back), 10% received Disability Pension/long‐term sick leave (associated with low skill discretion, prevalent diseases, underweight and smoking), and 12% received Early Retirement Pension (associated with extreme bending of back and marital status). Conclusions The study suggests a potential for preventing people from leaving physically heavy occupations by improving the physical and psychosocial work environment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:161–169, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Risk factors for neck-shoulder and wrist-hand symptoms in a 5-year follow-up study of 3,990 employees in Denmark

“…This could indicate a selection in the material, at least among the women, which could have diluted associations between work-related risk factors and symptoms. In a study of male waste collectors and municipal workers, different associations between occupational factors, health (including musculoskeletal symptoms), individual factors and unemployment, disability pension/long-term sick leave and early retirement pension, respectively, were found (Lund et al 2001). Thus, also for men, a dilution of some associations may have taken place.…”

Predictors of disability pension over a 10-year period for men and women

“…In a recent review, high age, being single, and low socioeconomic status were identified as demographic risk factors [2]. Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption [3], smoking, high or low BMI [4], and use of hypnotics/analgesics have also been related to disability pension [2]. Foreign citizenship, prior sickness absence [1], and low selfrated health [5] have further been identified as predictors.…”

“…The following work environmental risk factors have been identified: physical demands [10], heavy work, work in uncomfortable positions, long working hours, noise at work, and repetitive muscle strain [7]. Psychosocial work environmental factors such as mental job strain [7], non-stimulating work, substantial complexity [10], low decision latitude, high demands [5], lack of social support from supervisors [7], and low skill discretion [4] have further been identified as risk factors for disability pension. The effects of most of these factors differed for men and women.…”

Working conditions, compensation and absenteeism

“…Another paper from outside the field of economics is by Lund et al (2001). They look at the rates at which waste collectors and municipal workers leave their jobs, and identify associated risk factors within the work environment and health, life-style and marital status.…”