First evidence on ergonomic exposures and musculoskeletal pain among the Faroese workforce

OBJECTIVES: The Faroe Islands has historically been a fishing society, with workers being exposed to high physical work demands. However, the work environment has never been systematically studied. This study investigates associations of ergonomic exposures at work with low-back pain (LBP) and neck/shoulder pain (NSP) intensity.

METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire survey included 5198 workers (∼24% of the country's workforce), with > 3800 participants in the main analyses (∼18% of the country's workforce). General linear models tested associations of specific ergonomic exposures and a combined ergonomic index with LBP and NSP intensity, respectively, while adjusting for relevant confounders.

RESULTS: Mean LBP and NSP intensity were 2.6 (± 2.8) and 3.0 (± 2.7) points, respectively, on a 0-10 numeric rating scale. All ergonomic exposures showed strong exposure-response associations with LBP and NSP intensity, with the exception of 'standing/walking', which showed no significant association with NSP intensity. The strongest associations for both women and men were observed for 'pushing/pulling' and 'carrying/lifting' with LBP intensity, and 'back bent/twisted' and 'pushing/pulling' with NSP intensity. The ergonomic index (scale 0-100) showed clear exposure-response associations; women and men in the highest ergonomic demand category (> 40) reported 2.41 and 1.42 points higher LBP intensity, respectively, while all workers showed 1.51 points higher NSP intensity.

CONCLUSIONS: This first evidence of the ergonomic working environment in the Faroe Islands demonstrates a general working population with relatively intense pain and clear exposure-response associations between level of ergonomic demands and higher musculoskeletal pain intensity - for both women and men. Mapping these associations among the general working population in the Faroe Islands provides essential knowledge for future occupational health initiatives.