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Introduction The workplace is among the main activities for a large proportion of the population, and consequently a source of potential Sars-Cov2 infection. In this study we investigated longitudinally the incidence of COVID-19 by sector Methods The 14-day incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases per NACE-BEL code is calculated cross-sectionally in periods immediately preceding the Belgian soft lock-down of October 19, 2020, and is evaluated longitudinally by a Gaussian-Gaussian modelling two-stage approach. Additionally, we are analysing contact tracing data for companies affiliated with occupational health service IDEWE. Results The peak of COVID-19 14-day incidence was reached in the period October 20-November 2, 2020 and was considerably higher than average in human health activities, residential care activities, fitness facilities, human resource provision, hairdressing and other beauty treatment and some public service activities. During the course of the study, we observed large outbreaks in processing, production and preserving of meat, poultry. Similarly, higher incidences was shown in some manufacturing sectors that are not able to telework (manufacturing of metals and textile). Employees in wholesale and retail daily confronted with multiple close contacts, resulting in higher incidences of COVID-19. Finally, the incidence of COVID-19 in the non-medical contact professions remained in general above the working population incidence. Finally, it is encouraging that 3 to 4 weeks after vaccination that the 14-day incidences in health care workers, in- and out-hospital, and residential care in elderly employees are the lowest of all sectors, Conclusion This analysis can help us to better understand causes of increased infection rates and it can offer us ways to reduce infections without jeopardizing the continuity of these sectors/companies for the benefit of all. These data can also support the epidemiological evidence for the recognition of COVID-19 as occupational disease.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to obtain prevalence data on use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) among Belgian workers, and to explore the associations between self-reported AOD use and job-related effects as experienced by workers, and the level of workers’ well-being, respectively.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study (2016), 5367 workers filled out a questionnaire including validated instruments such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Job-related effects were defined as: being late at work, absenteeism, loss of productivity, injuries, conflicts with co-workers and sanctions by employers. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsBased on AUDIT-C, 39.1% of last year drinkers had an indication of problem drinking. The odds of experienced job-related effects was 3.6 (CI 2.86 to 4.60) times larger than the odds among workers without this indication. This ratio decreased to 3.2 (CI 2.52 to 4.11), controlling for language, gender, family context, level of education and sector. Respondents who used illicit drugs more frequently (>once a month) also had an increased risk for experienced job-related effects (OR 5.8; CI 2.87 to 11.84). Having a low level of well-being increased the risk for job-related effects due to psychoactive medication (OR 2.3, CI 1.10 to 4.91).DiscussionIn this study, self-reported AOD use was associated with short-term job-related effects. This suggests that an AOD policy in different sectors is needed with respect for the organisational culture. Its focus should lie on prevention and early detection of AOD problems, and on the mental health of workers. Attention is required for the non-medical use of prescription drugs.

We zullen langer moeten werken als gevolg van een verhoogde wettelijke pensioenleeftijd. Of dit zal lukken zal afhangen van de bereidheid en het vermogen van werknemers om aan het werk te blijven. Werkvermogen, de balans tussen individuele kenmerken en werkeisen en ruggengraat van duurzame inzetbaarheid, dient continu te worden opgevolgd. Daarom werd de online tool ‘Wellfie’ ontwikkeld, geinspireerd door het ‘huis van werkvermogen’. Eerst werd een literatuurstudie uitgevoerd voor een selectie van gevalideerde schalen die werkvermogen en beinvloedende factoren meten op werkgevers- en werknemersniveau. Vervolgens werd feedback, gericht op het verbeteren en handhaven van werkvermogen, ontwikkeld. Tenslotte werd Wellfie getest in vier pilootbedrijven uit drie sectoren. Wellfie voorziet een rapport voor zowel werkgever als werknemers. Werkgeversfeedback richt zich op organisatiebeleid en een vergelijking tussen werkgevers-en werknemersresultaten, terwijl werknemersfeedback persoonlijk georienteerd is. Wellfie ondersteunt organisaties in het behouden en verbeteren van werkvermogen, de sleutelfactor voor een lange en gezonde carriere.

Introduction Only few data on the (problematic) use of alcohol in workers and possible job related effects are available. Methods In 2016 an anonymized questionnaire was filled out by Belgian employees while waiting for a periodical occupational health screening. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test- Consumption (AUDIT-C) was used to measure prevalence of alcohol consumption. Also, the effects on absenteeism, lost productivity, workplace accidents, conflicts with co-workers and sanctions by employers were investigated. Result 5367 workers completed the questionnaires. 37.1% of last year drinkers (n=4197) drank more than once a week; 36.4% with an average daily consumption of 3 to 4 units, 11.4% with ≥5 to 6 units. Respectively 22.7% and 7.8% exhibited binge drinking at least once a month/week. Based on AUDIT-C 39.1% of last year drinkers had an indication of problematic drinking. This was significantly higher among higher educated and male employees Discussion Overall results show that problem drinking among workers is a typically male issue. Given the negative impact of work, a tailored and multicomponent alcohol policy in different sectors need to be implemented.

Introduction Working life will increase due to a raise of the legal retirement age. Yet, its success will depend on the willingness and ability of workers to remain at work. Work-ability, the backbone of sustainable employability, should therefore continuously be monitored and promoted. Work-ability is determined by health and functional capacities; competences; values, attitudes and motivation; work, work community and leadership. Evidence shows that health, functional capacities and work (community) affect work-ability the most. Work-ability and both latter factors were therefore assessed in a large sample of employees and compared between younger and older workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 100 Belgian companies. The online questionnaire ‘Wellfie’ was used, which is based on the ‘house of work-ability’. The tool consists of validated scales assessing work-ability using four questions of the work-ability index (Range: 1: very bad to 5: very good), lifestyle (diseases) and physical burden. Descriptive statistics were performed using frequencies and equality of proportions was analysed using Chi-square. Result 3887 participants completed Wellfie (i.e. 67% female, 33% male; 60% age Discussion Ageing goes along with a higher risk for chronic diseases and comorbidities affecting employee’s work-ability. Employers should therefore invest more in a health promotion policy for all workers.

Few data on the use of alcohol and other drugs in workers and possible effects on job performance are available. In 2016 an anonymized questionnaire was distributed among Belgian employees while waiting for a periodical medical examination. AUDIT-C and One Single Questions were used to measure prevalence of substance use. Effects on absenteeism, lost productivity, workplace accidents, conflicts with co-workers and sanctions by employers respectively experienced by the workers and observed among colleagues were investigated. 5367 workers completed the questionnaires. 83% drank at least one standard unit in the 12 months preceding the survey; 7.5% had used cannabis or other illegal drugs, 9.3% hypnotics, 5.5% tranquillizers and 7.9% antidepressants; 11.3% took prescribed drugs for nonmedical reasons. 11.4% of current drinkers had an average consumption of 5 to 6 units a day, which was significantly higher among employees 39.1% of last year drinkers had an indication of problem drinking and 12.2% experienced consequences on the job. 27.8% observed negative effects among their colleagues, especially being late at work (18.3%), irregular job performances (18%) and absenteeism (15.7%) Due to illicit drug use, 1.2% of the respondents experienced some negative effects on the job, 7.2% observed negative effects among their colleagues. Regarding the use of psychoactive medication, significantly more used by women, this was respectively 3% and 10.7%. As the negative impact of work related substance use, especially of alcohol, is obvious, a tailored and multicomponent alcohol and drug policy is appropriate.

IntroductionIn order to investigate the impact of work on health, we hypothesize that medication consumption registered in medical files of workers could serve as a proxy for work-related health problems. In this study, we describe variations in prevalence of specific medication groups between sectors, adjusting for age and gender. In addition, we investigated whether a change in job/sector can have an impact on medication use.MethodLogistic regression analysis is being performed to investigate the effect of occupational sector on the prevalence of specific medication groups, adjusted for year, age and gender. For this, an occupational surveillance dataset of 6 86 434 workers collected between 2011 and 2017 was used. Additionally, regarding the impact on job changes on medication use, analyses are currently being performed by comparing prevalence of specific medication groups in 2011 with 2017 for those employees who changed job during this time period.Results and discussionIn 2011 30,6% male and 49,8% female workers used medication. These figures roze to 43,1% and 67,3% respectively in 2017. The use of medication increased with age: in 2017 38,2% for workers=55 year. Big differences were observed between sectors. Medication use was highest in health care (67,1% in 2017), government and education. These differences remained after adjustment for age and gender. 9,8% and 9,1% of the workers were treated for respectively pain and neuropsychological disorders in 2017.ConclusionSignificant differences in workers’ medical consumption were observed between sectors. This information is now being used for the implementation of a sector-oriented health surveillance program.

Type 2 diabetes is een frequent voorkomende aandoening, zowel in de algemene populatie als specifiek bij werknemers. Tot 30% van de gevallen van diabetes blijven echter ongediagnosticeerd. Gevalideerde risicoberekeningmethodes worden internationaal aanbevolen om personen met een mogelijk risico op type 2 diabetes snel in beeld te krijgen en op te volgen. Het doel van de huidige studie was om enerzijds de prevalentie van ongediagnosticeerde dysglycemie en het risico op type 2 diabetes te evalueren in een werknemerspopulatie met de FINDRISC-vragenlijst. En anderzijds om de performantie van FINDRISC als screeningstool voor onontdekte dysglycemie en de toepasbaarheid in arbeidsgeneeskundige context te onderzoeken.

Contexte Le depistage precoce de problemes de sante (partiels) induite par le travail reste complexe. Les Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Providers, les prestataires de services de sante et de securite au travail, recueillent un large eventail de donnees lors de la surveillance de la sante. Nous avons donc cree un entrepot de donnees afin de mettre ces donnees a disposition pour la recherche epidemiologique. Objectifs Les donnees de OHS ont ete analysees en vue de deceler les differences sectorielles dans les problemes de sante enregistres. Methodes Les donnees medicales (y compris les indicateurs sur le mode de vie, la consommation de medicaments classes, les absences de maladies de codage ICD9-CM et les problemes de sante) ont ete collectees au cours de 1 100 000 examens medicaux entre 2010 et 2014. Elles ont ete extraites, transformees et chargees dans l’entrepot de donnees. Apres validation et controle de la qualite, nous avons realise une regression logistique afin de comparer les proportions entre les secteurs (NACE), en tenant compte des facteurs de confusion tels que l’âge, le genre, l’annee de l’examen et l’IMC. Resultats La moyenne d’âge et d’anciennete etait respectivement de 39 ± 12 et 8 ± 9 ans. Les problemes de sante, la consommation de medicaments et les absences pour cause de maladie ont augmente de maniere significative avec l’IMC et l’âge. La proportion de travailleurs avec des problemes de sante etait la plus elevee dans les soins de sante (64 %), les pouvoirs publics (61 %) et la production (60 %), et la plus faible dans les services. Dans tous les secteurs, 10 % des travailleurs ont signale des problemes de sante affectant l’appareil locomoteur, a l’exception du secteur de services (8 %). Des resultats similaires ont ete observes pour la consommation de medicaments. Les drogues neuropsychologiques ont ete consommees plus regulierement par les travailleurs de sante (8 %). Le secteur des transports comporte la plus grande proportion de consommateurs de medicaments pour les maladies cardiaques (12 %). Enfin, 30 a 59 % des travailleurs ont signale avoir ete absents au moins une fois pour cause de maladie. Les absences pour cause de maladie en raison de troubles locomoteurs etaient le plus elevees dans la production (11 %) et les soins de sante (10 %), suivis par les pouvoirs publics (9 %) et la construction (9 %). Conclusion Cette etude illustre comment les donnees de l’OHS peuvent etre utilisees pour le depistage des maladies professionnelles specifiques au secteur. Des differences significatives pour la sante des travailleurs ont ete observees entre les secteurs. Ces informations sont a present utilisees pour la mise en œuvre d’un programme de surveillance de la sante par secteur.