Results of a survey on musculoskeletal health in a group of craftsmen building 2247 in Bergamo-Italy

Introduction
European and Italian statistics have reported in the past decade a significant increase of work-related musculoskeletal disorders including the construction sector. To check this issue, the EPM Research Unit in collaboration with the Craftmanship Territorial Joint Committee in Bergamo, have started a research in the field of musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods
The clinical investigation is divided into a "structured history" for the detection of disorders in the last 12 months, the limbs and upper lumbar spine. If a person is classified as "anamnestic case", the clinical protocol provides a focused physical examination and any diagnostic test instrument in relation to the suspected disease. For the conduct of these investigations was organized theoretical and practical course of one day facing two physiotherapists and occupational physicians.

Results
Between November 2009 and July 2010, data on 2247 subjects with a variety of jobs were obtained, over 50% being masons. The whole sample and the group of masons were investigated and both exhibited prevalence of upper limb diseases definitely higher than the reference group of non-exposed subjects. As to lumbar spine, the most significant evidence regards the high prevalence of degenerative pathology (discal herniation) whereas subjective diseases appear to be lower than the reference groups. These data are affected by healthy worker’s effect, extremely marked in this productive sector, as well as by the economic crisis that caused the departure of several workers in the field.

Discussion
Hence the need for active research to be included in the protocol of health surveillance (with appropriate clinical protocol), of upper limb and spine MSDs. They also highlight the need for biomechanical overload exposure data aimed at reconstructing risk profiles (from biomechanical overload) by job and at simplifying risk assessment duties as in the present legislation but above all at identifying the technological and organizational solutions to erase this particular risk.