Physical workload and risk of long-term sickness absence in the general working population and among blue-collar workers: prospective cohort study with register follow-up

Abstract

Several of the investigated types of physical workload were risk factors for LTSA when exceeding 25% of the work time. A higher number of combined physical workloads was associated with progressively increased risk. Our study underscores the importance of physical workload as risk factors for LTSA in the general working population as well as among blue-collar workers.

Cumulative occupational mechanical exposures during working life and risk of sickness absence and disability pension: prospective cohort study

“…Instead, the two different approaches should be considered complementary perspectives, which together help to illuminate the influence of hard physical work on health related labor market outcomes. With that in mind, the present study supports existing knowledge, ie, that a reduction of mechanical work exposures is needed to prevent loss of labor market attachment (7,8,44). In particular, policymakers should put greater consideration into work history in their effort to keep older workers employed, and workplaces should strive to find new ways of retaining older workers, especially if they have been working in physically demanding jobs their entire life.…”

“…spective cohort studies have linked exposure to mechanical work factors such as heavy lifting, kneeling, and whole body vibration with increased risk of LTSA (6)(7)(8)(9). However, these studies have mainly focused on occupational exposures in participants' most recent job function and exposures have been assessed by self-reports.…”

Joint association of multimorbidity and work ability with risk of long-term sickness absence: a prospective cohort study with register follow-up

“…Previous LTSA was derived from the DREAM register and defined as ≥1 episode of LTSA (≥6 consecutive weeks) over the preceding two years prior to baseline. As previously described by Andersen et al (32), physical activity during leisure was measured by the following question: "How much time have you spent on each of the following leisure-time activities during the last year (including commuting to and from work)?" (i) "Walking, biking or other low-intensity exercise, where you do not get short of breath and do not begin to sweat (eg, Sunday walks or low-intensity gardening)?…”

“…Moderate physical activity was defined as performing >4 hours of low-intensity physical activity per week or moderate or high-intensity for <4 hours/week. High physical activity was defined as performing moderate or high activity for >4 hours/week or a combination of moderate and high activity for 2-4 hours/week (32,33).…”

Effects of a Participatory Ergonomics Intervention With Wearable Technical Measurements of Physical Workload in the Construction Industry: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…In particular, heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, and awkward postures have been associated with low back pain [3] and sickness absence [4,5]. Construction work consists of a high degree of heavy physical work [6,7].…”