Occupational exposure and sick leave in a local food industry company

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sick leave (SL) medical certificates may help identify the intervention needed to reduce occupational exposures (OE) impact on employees’ health. OE may trigger increased sick days, but the question remains whether tracking medical certificates could improve health and working conditions. The objective of this observational retrospective cohort study was analyzing the SL situation for a local company in 2008, OE impact on future medical leaves during the next decade, and on all-cause mortality, towards improving global employee health. Methods: Employees of a local company were divided into two groups (G): G1-multiple OE including chemical hazards, rotating shifts, manual weight lifting, repetitive movements and machinery maneuvering (MWLRMMM), and G2-without OE. They were followed-up retrospectively between 2008-2018 regarding information from SL certificates, SL number, and all-cause mortality. Professional risk was assessed by professional risk factors identification forms, and on-site evaluation. Results: 369 patients (45.4% of all employees), mean age 33 ± 8.2 years old, 41.2% men, received 11310 SL days, 3036 days on the first certificate. G1 included 324 (87.8%), while G2 included 45 patients (12.2%). The most common OE, in 292 patients (79.1% of total, 90.1% of G1) was MWLRMMM. Sick days were significantly higher in G1 (p=0.046), while the association with MWLRMMM was almost significant (p=0.053). During the next decade, subsequent SL were significantly increased by the presence of OE (p=0.0023, risk ratio=2.4), especially MWLRMMM (p=0.0026). All-cause mortality was higher in older employees (p=0.025), and uninfluenced by OE (p=0.3194) or other parameters. Conclusions: SL are commonly prescribed, and OE is associated with more sick days, therefore improved working conditions may reduce SL. No association between OE and all-cause mortality was documented. Multiple sources of information (medical certificates, direct communication with employees and prescribing physicians) could lead to less sick days and a healthier work environment.