title: Association between perceived present working conditions and demands versus attitude to early retirement among construction workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early retirement is an increasing problem in the construction industry. There is limited information about causes leading employees to leave working life early. We have compared construction workers present situation with their perception of future demands at work to avoid early retirement.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 87 employees in a medium-sized Norwegian construction company participated in the study. All were men and answered questionnaires on health and pain, work ability, mechanical exposure, psychosocial conditions, and demands regarding future working conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most workers showed good work ability, irrespective of age. Many reported high levels of mechanical exposure at work. The level of musculoskeletal pain was higher in the middle-aged (30-50 year old) age groups and seniors aged over 50 years than among the youngest workers less than 30 years of age. All workers reported that good health was important for continued working. Most workers stated that future work must not be too physically demanding. Many workers reported relatively low job satisfaction; consequently an interesting job was rated as important for continuing work. Good social conditions were a high priority.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the examined construction workers, good health and reduced levels of mechanical exposure at work are essential to avoid early retirement.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Einar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jebens
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Jon I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Medbø
authors.affiliation: Lia HMS, Trysil, Norway.
authors.forename: Oddvar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Knutsen
authors.affiliation: Sogn og Fjordane University College, Songndal, Førde and Sandane, Norway.
authors.forename: Asgeir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamen
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kaj Bo
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Veiersted
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001290:Attitude; D060389:Construction Industry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D009664:Norway; D010465:Perception; D011187:Posture; D012179:Retirement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mechanical exposure; Senior workers; musculoskeletal pain; postponed early retirement; work ability