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Sickness absence in a Singapore refinery.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|April 1, 1984
Summary
Sickness absenteeism in Singaporean male industrial workers was low, with an average of 7.0 days per year. Shift workers experienced higher rates, and surgical operations/accidents caused the longest absences.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Industrial Hygiene
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on sickness absenteeism in developing Eastern countries, contrasting with high rates in Western nations.
- Understanding absenteeism patterns is crucial for workforce health management in industrial settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze sickness absenteeism trends among male industrial employees in a Singaporean oil refinery.
- To identify factors influencing sickness absence duration and frequency.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sickness absenteeism data from male industrial workers in a Singapore oil refinery in 1982.
- Examination of absence spells, working days lost, and causes of absence.
- Comparison of findings with international and local absenteeism data.
Main Results:
- Average of 5.1 absence spells and 7.0 working days lost per worker due to illness.
- Absenteeism increased with age; shift workers had double the sick leave of day workers.
- Surgical operations and accidents were primary causes for long-term absences, not chronic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Sickness absenteeism in this Singaporean industrial setting was significantly lower than reported in Western countries.
- Age, work shift, and specific causes like surgery/accidents are key factors in industrial sickness absence.