Sustaining person-environment fit with a changing workforce

Abstract

Data on health and lifestyle from the Naval service cohort study of occupational stress form the background to a discussion of employee health and the sustainability of a healthy workforce in relation to secular changes – in particular, the increasing prevalence of obesity. One thousand two hundred and forty-one Naval personnel returned questionnaires in 2007 and 2011 and reported their body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption and smoking, general health and health conditions such as back pain and high blood pressure on both occasions. Health risk due to high BMI and waist circumference in 2011 was predicted by low participation in exercise in 2007. Those performing physically demanding work in 2007 were more likely to be in the ‘no risk’ category in 2011. High BMI in 2007 was associated with the development of back pain, musculoskeletal conditions and high blood pressure in 2011. The findings are discussed in relation to two aspects of sustainability: the sustainability of current ergonomics practice in relation to health and safety; and the role of ergonomics in sustaining a healthy and productive workforce.

Practitioner Summary: Evidence is presented for the benefits of exercise in sustaining employee health and for an association between a high BMI and a number of common health complaints that have traditionally been tackled through workplace ergonomics. This evidence can be used to support the development of workplace design concepts that promote physical activity.

Keywords:

• body mass index
• lifestyle
• musculoskeletal disorders
• back pain
• psychological strain
• exercise

Acknowledgements

To Dr A.J. Day for assistance with the statistical analysis.

Notes

1. Although 1896 RN personnel were still serving at the start of 2011, on receiving updated postal addresses for the second mail out it was found that a further 37 personnel had left the RN since the beginning of the survey. Therefore these personnel were removed from the total denominator, reducing this to n = 1859.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R.S. Bridger

This paper has been published with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. British Crown Copyright, 2011, MoD.