problems during work.
Workplace intervention measures aimed at occupational physical tasks and activities seem justified for both occupations. Keywords: Construction industry, Longitudinal study, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Background
The construction industry is known for its occupational risks and hazards and the associated adverse health effects [1-3]. For construction workers, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a main cause of productivity loss at work [4], functional impairments [5] and permanent disability [6]. However, workers in different construction occupations are at risk for different work-related MSDs [7]. This is mainly due to different biomechanical risk factors [7-9].
Over the years, primary prevention has improved and the biomechanical load in several physically demanding construction occupations has been reduced [10-15]. Primary prevention is seen as the key to eliminating work demands that are too high for the workers and reducing the risk of adverse health effects. However, results from long-term follow-up studies do not show a significant