Criterion-related validity of functional capacity evaluation lifting tests on future work disability risk and return to work in the construction industry.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the criterion-related validity of the five Ergo-Kit (EK) functional capacity evaluation (FCE) lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). METHODS: Six weeks, 6 months and 1 year after the first sick leave day due to MSDs, construction workers underwent two isometric and three dynamic EK FCE lifting tests, and completed the Instrument for Disability Risk (IDR) for future work disability risk. Concurrent and predictive validity were assessed by the associations between the scores of the EK FCE lifting tests and the IDR outcomes (Pearson Correlation coefficients (r) and associated proportions of variance (PV) and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)). Predictive validity of the EK FCE lifting tests on the total number of days on sick leave until full durable return to work (RTW) was also evaluated (Cox regression analysis). RESULTS: Concurrent validity with future work disability risk was poor for the two isometric EK FCE lifting tests (-0.15

The effect of individual counselling and education on work ability and disability pension: a prospective intervention study in the construction industry.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of a counselling and education programme on work ability and work disability pension for employees in the construction industry. METHODS: Employees with a high disability risk of 38% or more in the following four years were included. Employees in the intervention group were either selected by an occupational physician or enrolled themselves. They received an assessment and individual programme focused on optimising work functioning, while the control group received care-as-usual. Data on work ability measured with the Work Ability Index (WAI) and work disability pensions were collected at baseline during a periodic occupational health examination and at 9, 18 and 26 months after the start of the intervention using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Most employees in both the intervention (n = 83) and control group (n = 209) were carpenters (43% and 37%) and bricklayers (7% and 15%). In the intervention group, 42% successfully completed the programme. Work ability in the intervention group was lower at baseline but showed an increase over time while work ability of the control group remained the same. The work ability in the intervention group improved slightly more (p = 0.09). No statistically significant differences in percentages of employees receiving a disability pension between the intervention and control group were found at 9 or 18 months and no differences in the age-adjusted percentages of employees receiving a disability pension were found between the groups at any measurement. CONCLUSIONS: The programme was slightly effective in improving the work ability but not in reducing work disability pensions. A more comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention programme might be necessary.

Radiographic abnormalities among construction workers exposed to quartz containing dust.

BACKGROUND: Construction workers are exposed to quartz containing respirable dust, at levels that may cause fibrosis in the lungs. Studies so far have not established a dose-response relation for radiographic abnormalities for this occupational group. AIMS: To measure the extent of radiographic abnormalities among construction workers primarily exposed to quartz containing respirable dust. METHODS: A cross sectional study on radiographic abnormalities indicative of pneumoconiosis was conducted among 1339 construction workers mainly involved in grinding, (jack)-hammering, drilling, cutting, sawing, and polishing. Radiological abnormalities were determined by median results of the 1980 International Labour Organisation system of three certified "B" readers. Questionnaires were used for assessment of occupational history, presence of respiratory diseases, and symptoms and smoking habits. RESULTS: An abnormality of ILO profusion category 1/0 and greater was observed on 10.2% of the chest radiographs, and profusion category of 1/1 or greater on 2.9% of the radiographs. The average duration of exposure of this group was 19 years and the average age was 42. The predominant type of small opacities (irregularly shaped) is presumably indicative of mixed dust pneumoconiosis. The prevalence of early signs of nodular silicosis (small rounded opacities of category 1/0 or greater) was low (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests an elevated risk of radiographic abnormalities among these workers with expected high exposure. An association between radiographic abnormalities and cumulative exposure to quartz containing dust from construction sites was observed, after correction for potentially confounding variables.