Influence of work organization and work environment on missed work, productivity, and use of pain medications among construction apprentices

B A Evanoff; D S Rohlman; J R Strickland; A M Dale

doi:10.1002/ajim.23078

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Influence of work organization and work environment on missed work, productivity, and use of pain medications among construction apprentices

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Influence of work organization and work environment on missed work, productivity, and use of pain medications among construction apprentices

B A Evanoff, D S Rohlman, J R Strickland and A M Dale

American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.63(3), pp.269-276

03/2020

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23078

PMCID: PMC7069495

PMID: 31774191

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/7069495View

Open Access

Abstract

Construction is among the most dangerous industries. In addition to traditional hazards for workplace injury and illness, other threats to health and well-being may occur from work organization and work environment factors, including irregular employment, long commutes, long work hours, and employer policies regarding health and safety. These nontraditional hazards may affect work and health outcomes directly, or through effects on health behaviors. The cumulative impacts of both traditional and nontraditional hazards on health-related outcomes among construction workers are largely unknown. We conducted a survey among apprentice construction workers to identify relationships between work organization and environmental factors with five outcomes of economic relevance to employers: missed work due to work-related injury, missed work due to any pain or injury, self-reported workability, health-related productivity, and use of prescription medications for pain. A total of 963 surveys were completed (response rate 90%) in this young (mean age 28) working cohort. Multivariate Poisson regression models found associations between the outcomes of interest and multiple work factors, including job strain, safety behaviors of coworkers, and mandatory overtime. Univariate analysis showed additional associations, including precarious work, and supervisor support for safety. Findings from this cross-sectional study suggest that work organization and environment factors influence health and work outcomes among young construction trade workers. Future work with longitudinal data will examine the hypothesized paths between work factors, health behaviors, health outcomes, and work outcomes.

Analgesics - therapeutic use

Multivariate Analysis

Occupational Injuries - complications

Cross-Sectional Studies

Humans

Safety Management

Male

Workplace - statistics & numerical data

Absenteeism

Construction Industry - statistics & numerical data

Organizational Culture

Efficiency, Organizational - statistics & numerical data

Job Satisfaction

Occupational Health - statistics & numerical data

Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data

Occupational Injuries - drug therapy

Pain - drug therapy

Missouri

Pain - etiology

Adult

Female

Poisson Distribution

Workplace - organization & administration

Details

Title: Subtitle: Influence of work organization and work environment on missed work, productivity, and use of pain medications among construction apprentices
Creators: B A Evanoff - Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, Iowa City, Iowa
D S Rohlman - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
J R Strickland - Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, Iowa City, Iowa
A M Dale - Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, Iowa City, Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.63(3), pp.269-276
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23078
PMID: 31774191
PMCID: PMC7069495
NLM abbreviation: Am J Ind Med
ISSN: 0271-3586
eISSN: 1097-0274
Publisher: United States
Grant note: U19 OH008868 / NIOSH CDC HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/2020
Academic Unit: Public Health Administration; Occupational and Environmental Health; International Programs; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984066346002771

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22 Times Cited - Web of Science