Manual handling of heavy loads and low back pain among different occupational groups: results of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey

Background In Germany and other European countries, many occupations still involve manual handling of loads (MHL), an activity that puts the musculoskeletal system at risk of low back pain (LBP). This study aims to describe the current prevalence of MHL in different occupational groups stratified by gender in Germany, the association between MHL and LBP and the adjusted prevalence of LBP in different respond-categories of MHL. Methods Data was collected in telephone interviews conducted as part of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey, which covers work-related topics like working conditions, education, health status and job satisfaction. The analyses were limited to full-time workers (> 35 h/week) aged between 15 and 67. The frequency of MHL was analysed descriptively. BLOSSFELD classification was used to group the participants in occupational categories. The analysis of the association between MHL and the prevalence of LBP over the last 12 months was based on robust log-linear Poisson regression that results in prevalence ratios (PR). The main regression model was adjusted for gender, age, working hours, and working conditions. Adjusted estimates for the prevalence of LBP were calculated based on regression analysis. Results The sample consists of n = 14,331 participants (men: n = 8828, 61.6%; women: n = 5503, 38.4%; median age 49 years). Of these, 52.8% say they were exposed to MHL at work. MHL is most common in agricultural occupations, skilled and unskilled occupations. In the regression model, participants who said they were “often” exposed to MHL reported more frequently LBP than those participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL. The PR as estimate for the association is 1.41 (95%CI [1.32; 1.49]). Postestimation of the prevalence of LBP began with 47.3% (95%CI [43.8%; 51.1%]) for participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL and rose to 66.5% (95%CI [62.4%; 71.0%]) for participants who indicated they were “often” exposed to MHL. Conclusions The 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey emphasizes that MHL is still common in the German workforce and shows a significant association to LBP. Prevention policies for avoiding MHL remain vital.

The association between manual handling operations and pain in the hands and arms in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background Manual handling operations (MHO) are tasks performed by hand that require repetitive and forceful hand and arm movements. MHO are currently performed in many workplaces in skilled and unskilled jobs in the production and service sectors. MHO are considered as work-related health risk factors. The relationship between MHO and the occurrence of disorders of the upper extremities has been established. MHO can cause diseases such as tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of MHO in the German workforce and to evaluate the relationship between MHO and the occurrence of hand and arm complaints. Methods The analysis was based on the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. For this analysis we included subjects aged between 16 and 66 who work at least 35 h per week. The self-reported frequency of MHO (never; rarely; sometimes; often) was considered as the exposure of interest and was stratified by gender and occupation. Prevalence ratios (PR) were used to report the relationship between MHO and self-reported pain in the hands and arms (robust log-linear Poisson regression). Adjustments were made for age, gender, actual weekly working hours, psychosocial workload, and other physical workloads. The regression analyses considered complete cases. Results The analyses included 14,299 employees. Frequent MHO were reported by 32.6% of men and 31.1% of women. These workloads were often reported by respondents who work in the agricultural sector (men: 70.1%; women: 79.0%), in unskilled (men: 59.4%; women: 66.9%), and skilled manual occupations (men: 72.7%; women: 66.7%). A higher frequency of self-reported MHO was associated with a higher prevalence of hand complaints (PR 2.26 CI 2.00–2.55 “often” vs. “never” = ref.) as well as arm pain (PR 1.73 CI 1.55–1.92 for “often” vs. “never” = ref.). Conclusion MHO are still frequent in many occupations. The shown association between MHO and pain in the hands and arms demonstrates the importance of MHO in the current German workforce and the necessity to further develop prevention strategies.

Association between working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of work-related sick leave and incur substantial socioeconomic costs. With the aging of our society and employees, the problem is exacerbating, and prevention is becoming increasingly important. According to previous studies, exposure to awkward postures, such as overhead work, is associated with musculoskeletal problems. Objective This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of employees who work in awkward postures, specifically overhead, stratified by age, gender and occupation in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey and to analyze associations between awkward working postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region. Method The study is based on secondary data from the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. We have included 14,327 of the 20,012 employees aged < 67 years who work at least 35 h per week who took part in the survey. The classification of participants in occupational groups is based on the Blossfeld classification. The multivariate analysis was conducted by applying robust Poisson regression models adjusted block by block to obtain the relation between the self-reported frequency of working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and the occurrence of arm pain and neck and shoulder pain. Prevalence ratios (PR) are reported as effect estimates. Results 12.7% of participants indicated that they are often exposed to awkward postures at work; 5.0% stated they often performed overhead work. The majority of these employees worked in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations. The crude prevalence is 17.4% for arm pain and 48.4% for neck and shoulder pain. If subjects reported that they often performed overhead work, the risk of arm pain increased by 18% (PR 1.18, CI 1.04–1.34, final model). Conclusion Working in awkward postures, especially overhead work, is a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. The development of prevention strategies should focus on the workforce in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations.

The sectoral-regional structure of the wages in Mexico

The present study analyses the sectoral and the regional structure of the wages in Mexico. We exploit a pooled data model with information from the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE) from 2005 to 2018. The results show generalized discrimination against women in all economic activities and regions of the country. The education return on wage differentiates among economic activities, and overall, it is more profitable for women. In professional servi-ces, an additional year of education increases 8.4 per cent the salary; in restaurants and lodging services, this return is 3.9 per cent. This study also shows that education is more profitable in the northeast than in other parts of the country. Wages in agriculture in the north double the wages in agriculture in the south. One of the main implications of this study is that education is a crucial instrument for narrowing the gap between women’s and men’s wages.

Association between Working in Awkward Postures, in Particular Overhead Work, and Pain in the Shoulder Region in the Context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of work-related sick leave and incur substantial socioeconomic costs. With the aging of our society and employees, the problem is exacerbating, and prevention is becoming increasingly important. According to previous studies, exposure to awkward postures, such as overhead work, is associated with musculoskeletal problems. Objective: This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of employees who work in awkward postures, specifically overhead, stratified by age, gender and occupation in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey and to analyze associations between awkward working postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region. Method: The study is based on secondary data from the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey . We have included 14,327 of the 20,012 employees aged between 15 and 67 who work at least 35 hours per week who took part in the survey. The classification of participants in occupational groups is based on the Blossfeld classification. The multivariate analysis was conducted by applying robust Poisson regression models adjusted block by block to obtain the relation between the self-reported frequency of working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and the occurrence of arm and neck/shoulder pain. Prevalence ratios (PR) are reported as effect estimates. Results: 12.6 % of participants indicated that they are often exposed to awkward postures at work; 5 % stated they often performed overhead work. The majority of these employees work in agricultural, unskilled, and skilled manual occupations. The crude prevalence is 17.4 % for arm pain and 48.4 % for neck and shoulder pain. If subjects reported that they often performed overhead work, the risk of arm pain increased by 18 % (PR 1.18, CI 1.04 – 1.34, final model). Conclusion: Working in awkward postures, especially overhead work, is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in the arms. The development of prevention strategies should focus on the workforce in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations.

The Association Between Manual Handling Operations and Pain in the Hands and Arms in the Context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background: Manual handling operations (MHO) are tasks performed by hand that require a high frequency of repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and forearm. MHO are currently performed in a large number of workplaces in skilled and unskilled professions in the production and service sectors. MHO are considered a work-related health risk factor. The relationship between MHO and the occurrence of disorders of the upper extremities has already been established. MHO can cause diseases such as tenosynovitis of the forearm and carpal tunnel syndrome. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of exposure to MHO in the German workforce and to evaluate the relationship between MHO and the occurrence of disorders in the hands and arms. Methods: The analysis was based on the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey . We included subjects aged between 15 and 66 who work at least 35 hours per week. The self-reported frequency of MHO (never; rarely; sometimes; often) was considered the exposure of interest and was stratified by gender and occupation. Prevalence ratios were used to report the relationship between MHO and self-reported pain in the hands and arms (robust log-linear Poisson regression). Adjustments were made for age, gender, actual weekly working hours, psychosocial workload, and other physical workloads. Results: The analysis included 14,299 employees. Nearly 33% of the male and 31% of the female subjects reported that they often perform MHO. These workloads were often reported by respondents who work in the agricultural sector (men: 70%; women: 79%), in unskilled (men: 59%; women: 67%) and skilled manual occupations (men: 73%; women: 67%). A higher frequency of self-reported MHO was clearly associated with a higher prevalence of hand complaints (PR 2.26 CI: 2.00 - 2.55) as well as arm pain (PR 1.73 CI: 1.55 – 1.92). Conclusion: MHO are still frequent in many occupations. The association between self-reported frequencies of MHO and pain in the hands and arms shown here demonstrates the importance of MHO in the current German workforce and the necessity to further develop prevention strategies.

TRANSICIÓN Y PERSISTENCIA EN EL CICLO FORMAL-INFORMAL EN MÉXICO

This paper analyzes the role of human capital in the formal-informal transition of workers in Mexico. We create a dynamic pooled aligned panel of 44 quarters, using a series of quarterly panel data that follows each individual for 5 consecutive quarters, using the Mexican Employment Survey. Using this synthetic dataset we estimate a dynamic multinomial logit model and classify potential working force people in four labor states: formal, informal, unemployed, and outside the labor market. Our results show that: 1) persistence is greater in informality vs. formality, and 2) worker’s human capital plays an important role in formal-informal transitions. In particular, worker’s education not only increases the probability of being formal but also increases the probability of entering and/or remaining into formality.