Summary Statement
Research suggests that reducing obesity, reducing smoking, reducing manual materials handling, and improving job control and work ability can keep construction workers successfully employed for longer.
2009
Increasing numbers of retirees – with fewer younger workers to take their place – have led many countries to seek ways to increase work participation at older ages. New research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work and Environmental Health suggests that reducing obesity, reducing smoking, reducing manual materials handling, and improving job control and work ability can keep construction workers successfully employed. To make these changes, we need to implement rehabilitation programs for the injured worker, ergonomic programs to reduce MSDs, and comprehensive health promotion programs for construction workers. For abstracts on this study and an accompanying editorial plus complete downloads of both articles, please see:
http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1340
http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1345
You may also contact Laura Welch, MD, for more information at lwelch@cpwr.com
