Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among aluminium workers

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal sy mptoms (MSS) in workers in the aluminium industry, and to test the relation ship with work by using the duration of employment as a measure of exposure . A total of 5654 workers (92%) answered a questionnaire. Operators, who we re more exposed to physically demanding work, showed a greater incidence of MSS than did of ice workers. Among operators, the duration of employment w as significantly correlated with MSS in nine out of ten areas of the body, when adjusted by multiple regression analyses for age, gender, height, weig ht, smoking and physical activity. Among office workers this relationship w as weaker and was significant only for neck and lower back areas. The highe r prevalence of MSS among operators and the association between their durat ion of employment and MSS suggests that a higher risk of MSS is related to the working environment.