Job stress, absenteeism and near miss accidents in thermic central workers

Introduction
Absenteeism and work accidents are among undesirable outcomes of psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this study to determine the factors that affect absenteeism and accidents or near miss accidents in a group of thermic central workers.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study 348 thermic central workers out of 431 were surveyed by mean of face to face questionnaire. The questionnaire included Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Demand Control Support Questionnaires and sociodemographic items as well as working conditions (salary, shiftwork, occupation, and working environment (dust and noise). Job stress was calculated as demand over control ratio. The mean value of this ratio was accepted as the cut-off point for high stress level. T-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations.

Results
56.3% of workers had shiftwork and 77.0% worked overtime. Mean age was 45.1±5.8 (26-59 years) and mean work year was 15.8±6.7. Percentages of workers exposed to noise, dust and high temperatures were 64.1%, 62.6% and 52.0% respectively. Median absenteeism was 5.0 days per year. 25.3% of workers had a score of Epworth Sleepiness Scale over 10. Mean job stress score was 1.2. While 6.9% experienced near miss accidents, 0.9% had accidents. Logistic regression analysis revealed that workers with less of social support had 1.7 times (95%CI:1.1-2.8) and workers that had shiftwork had 1.4 times (95%CI:0.8-2.3) higher risk for absenteeism.

Discussion
Social support has a role on absenteeism and it has to be evaluated as an implementation point for eliminating impacts of psychosocial factors on work life and worker health. This study revealed that to prevent absenteeism and near miss accidents , working conditions should be thouroughly investigated and considered together with psychosocial factors.