Occupational Exposures and Back Disorders

Conclusions

• People in the following groups develop more back trouble over time than those who are not subjected to the specified exposure at work:
  • Those who work with manual handling (e.g. lift) or in a posture where the back is bent or rotated
  • Those who work in a kneeling or squatting posture, or have physically demanding work tasks
  • Those exposed to whole body vibration
  • Those who experience work as mentally stressful; or those who find their work demanding, but lack decision latitude (personal control of their own working situation); or those who have insufficient opportunities for personal development
  • Those who work outside standard office hours.
• In some work environments, people have less back trouble. Those who experience high influence over work-related decisions, those who get social support at work and those with high job satisfaction develop less back trouble than others.
• Women and men with similar occupational exposures develop back troubles to the same extent.
• Those who work in forward bent postures or are exposed to whole body vibration in their work develop more symptoms of sciatica than others, while those with high job satisfaction develop less such symptoms. Those whose work entails manual handling develop more intervertebral disc changes than others.
• This systematic literature review has uncovered a substantial body of knowledge concerning occupational exposures and back disorders. Future research should include intervention studies, i.e. studies that scientifically test the effect of well defined interventions on back disorders over extended periods of time in authentic work situations.