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This study examined psychological and physiological stress, as well as muscle tension and musculoskeletal symptoms, among 72 female supermarket cashiers. Stress levels were found to be significantly elevated at work, as reflected in the catecholamines, blood pressure, heart rate, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and self-reports. Fifty cashiers (70%) suffering from neck-shoulder pain (trapezius myalgia) were found to have higher EMG activity at work and reported more tension after work. Women who kept a diary for 1 week and reported more musculoskeletal pain (above the median) were older, had higher blood pressure, and reported more work stress and psychosomatic symptoms. The elevated stress levels at work are consistent with data from workers involved in other types of repetitive tasks and can be important for the high prevalence of neck and shoulder symptoms among the cashiers.

Five hundred and seventy five out of 1642 fishermen from the Swedish west coast left the trade during the period 1982-1987 for reasons other than age retirement or death. A questionnaire study directed to all these fishermen showed that the majority of the fishermen leaving the trade were young and most of them left fishing within the first few years. The major reasons for leaving the job were low or uncertain earnings, long absence from home or musculo-skeletal symptoms. The major advantages with the work given by the ex-fishermen were working outdoors, good fellowship, personal influence on and excitement of the work. The frequency of subjective musculo-skeletal symptoms was lower among the ex-fishermen than among active fishermen in a previous investigation. However, the active fishermen had to a lower extent been unable to perform daily work due to their symptoms. Seasickness had been a problem for a portion of the ex-fishermen.