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Background Information on factors driving work disability trends helps to evaluate the potential of interventions to improve the health and work ability of the workforce. We assessed whether the long-term decrease in sickness absences in Finland is explained by observed and unobserved compositional changes in the workforce. Methods Utilising register-based panel data on Finnish private and public sector employees aged 30-62, we examined the annual onset of compensated full sickness absence (granted after 10 working days) in the period 2005-2016. We applied random effects models adjusting for changes in observed sociodemographic factors of the study population. We also applied fixed effects models, with corrections of the estimates for cohort ageing, to additionally account for unobserved time-invariant characteristics of the study population over the years. Results Of the observed factors, increases in educational level partly explained the decreasing trend in sickness absences, and more so among women than men and among private than public sector employees. Changes in occupational class and industrial sector played little role in the public sector and only slightly further explained the sickness absence trend in the private sector. The decreasing trend in sickness absences appeared to be largely explained by unobserved time-invariant individual characteristics. Conclusions The decrease in sickness absences appeared to be more strongly influenced by compositional changes in factors that are established before fully entering the labour market - such as educational level as well as unmeasured individual characteristics that remain unchanged after childhood and early adulthood - than in the work environment or other factors contributing at working age. Attempts to improve the health and work ability of the workforce should not only rely on interventions directed at the working age population, but also on those carried out early during the life course. Key messages • Compositional changes in the workforce should be taken into account when assessing sickness absence trends. • Interventions aiming to improve the health and work ability of the workforce should be implemented already early in the life course and not only in working age.

representative subject from each section using personal environmental monitor (SKC, USA). We evaluated lung functions of all workers using pneumotach sensor based Spirovit SP-1 (Schiller). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v26.0. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee and funded by the Institute. Results Compared to respective international recommended limits, average personal exposure to PM4 was relatively high in spray drying (8 hour time weighted average -28.9 mg/m3) and ball milling (8 hour TWA -7.12 mg/m3) sections; whereas average respirable crystalline silica was higher in spray drying section only (0.08 mg/m3 TWA). We observed abnormal lung functions (obstructive/restrictive) in 17% workers. We found significant deteriorated spirometry measurements in workers as compared to administrative staff. Duration of job was associated with compromised spirometry measurements. Conclusion It is evident that ceramic tile workers have higher than recommended exposure to PM4 and crystalline silica at workplace and high prevalence of abnormal lung functions. Proper implementation of industrial hygiene for containing workplace dust and periodic screening programmes of workers for early detection of pulmonary compromise is recommended in ceramic tile industry.

Background Active labour market programmes, such as vocational training, have become widely adopted measures to increase job seekers’ employment opportunities, but evidence of their effectiveness in later employment is mixed. Individuals who enter training differ greatly in their socioeconomic background, health, and labour market history, which can affect the effectiveness of these programmes. There is still uncertainty, for example, on how vocational labour market training works for individuals with prior health problems. Methods We use nationally representative Finnish register data on 88,283 individuals aged 25-59 who participated in vocational labour market training in 2008-2013, 23,715 of whom had sickness absence lasting at least 10 weekdays (including Saturday) three years prior to the training and 64,568 of whom did not. To adjust for the differences in sociodemographic and work-related factors between these groups, we will conduct propensity score matching. We will analyze work participation three years before and after the training among those with sickness absence and those without using a difference-in-difference analysis. Results Our preliminary results show that before training the work participation rate was similar in those with sickness absence history (58.5 %) and those without (58.1 %). After training, those with a sickness absence history had slightly lower work participation than those without (54.6% versus 59.6 %). The differences in work participation between these groups increased slightly over time after training. Conclusions Vocational labour market training does not necessarily work equally well for everyone in terms of enhancing employment, and job seekers with work disability history should be offered either extra support or another type of unemployment service. However, these are our pre-matching results, and they cannot be causally interpreted. Next, we will conduct the propensity score matching and difference-in-difference analysis. Key messages • Having a sickness absence history prior to vocational labour market training is associated with lower work participation after training compared to participants without a sickness absence history. • The main advantage of the study is the use of a quasi-experimental study design to test the effectiveness of vocational training, using rich nationally representative register data with long follow-up.