Information about work and health in blue collar workers with musculoskeletal disorders

Is there a need for tailored efforts?

Abstract

Pain related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) can challenge the performance of daily work tasks. MSD is a major problem among workers with physically demanding work. Knowledge of occupational health and safety (OHS) solutions may have the potential to strengthen preventive efforts at the workplace. The article evaluates the association between MSD and a) knowledge about OHS for blue-collar workers with physically demanding work and b) their access to information about OHS. Furthermore, it explores and discusses from where and in what format information about OHS can be conveyed to workers with and without MSD. An electronic questionnaire survey with questions on pain intensity, access to and knowledge about OHS issues was answered by 2,119 workers with physically demanding work. Multivariable regression analyses showed that workers with MSD were more likely to both lack access to information about OHS and have insuffi cient OHS knowledge compared to their pain-free coworkers. Workers with MSD primarily received information about OHS passively from workplace actors but preferred to receive information relevant to the workplace via interactive channels like courses, workplace inquiries and campaigns in the future. Focused communication efforts tailored specifi cally to this target group appear to hold some promise of making a difference.