Objective: To estimate incidence and trends in incidence of occupational diseases (ODs) in the Dutch construction sector.
Methods: In a dynamic prospective cohort over a 5-year period (2010-2014), ODs assessed by occupational physicians (OPs) participating in a voluntary construction workers health surveillance (WHS) were reported to the Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases (NCOD). ODs were defined as a disease with a specific clinical diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases) that was predominantly caused by work-related factors as assessed by an OP. Annual incidences were determined for the total number of ODs and six frequently occurring OD groups. Trends in incidence were estimated using a multilevel negative binominal regression model.
Results: In 2014 the incidence of all OD was 12 964 per 100 000 workers and there was no significant change in incidence between 2010 and 2014 (3%; 95% CI -2% to +9%). Hearing loss (8125 per 100 000 workers) and musculoskeletal disorders (2081 per 100 000 workers) were the most frequently occurring ODs. Noise-induced hearing loss (+7%; 95% CI 1% to 13%) and contact dermatitis (+19%; 95% CI 6% to 33%) showed increasing trends. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of low back pain, arthrosis, repetitive strain injuries, distress/burnout and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma.
Conclusions: In total, 13% of workers participating in WHS in the Dutch construction industry during 2014 had an OD diagnosed and reported by an OP. Over a 5-year period the annual incidence of reported ODs showed a statistically non-significant increase. Incidences in noise-induced hearing loss and contact dermatitis showed statistically significant increasing trends, 7% and 19%, respectively.
Keywords: Occupational Diseases.
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