In summary, we found back complaints to be a frequent
health problem among municipal waste collection workers,
more frequent than in the general population. These complaints
are associated with limitations in health-related
quality of life and probably explain at least some of these
impairments. Interventions to enhance ergonomic work
processes in this occupational field are warranted in order
to reduce musculoskeletal problems and should be evaluated
taking HRQoL into account.