Senior workers in the Dutch construction industry: a search for age-related work and health issues.

An increase in morbidity and disability rates in the Dutch construction industry is expected due to work force aging. In order to reduce these rates, an occupational health services instrument for senior construction workers will be developed to gather information on present problems in work and health, expectations for the future, and potential preventive policy measures. The aim of this study was to identify age-related work and health issues among construction workers that could be included in the new instrument. Questionnaire data on work and health from 1881 young (16-30 years) and 1946 old (45-64 years) construction workers were analyzed and a literature search was performed. Results show that health problems, in particular for musculoskeletal disorders, increase with advancing age, demonstrating the need for occupational health arrangements for the maintenance and improvement of work ability of senior construction workers.