Preventive effects of work place investigations in connection with musculo-skeletal occupational injuries

One hundred and ninety-five reports on musculo-skeletal occupational injuries were collected and randomised into two groups: one group where the work places of the injured were visited by labour inspectors (LIs) and one control group. The inspectors were instructed to issue inspection notices (INs) where appropriate. Ninety-two such visits were paid and resulted in 20 INs. Approximately 15 months later all 195 work places were visited by 3 ergonomists and the ergonomic situations were assessed. When compared with the control group neither the visits from the LIs nor the INs issued were associated with reduced work load among the injured. However, at most work places also other employees were performing the same tasks as the injured persons. Among these employees there was a significant reduction of work load where INs had been issued to the employers. Thus, the main effects of the LI interventions were in primary preventive measures.