[Working conditions and health status from the workers' viewpoint]

In the present study details about disruptive factors in working conditions, elements injurious to health or general well-being, personal attitudes to work etc. have been obtained by means of a representative survey of about 2000 employed persons in Switzerland. The most frequent disruptive factors in working conditions (> 30%) are noise and too little time for family and friends. A relatively large number of employed persons (20-25%) complain about unsatisfactory ventilation, air pollution due to dust, smoke etc., draughts, uncomfortable temperature, dry air, lifting and carrying heavy weights, uncomfortable body positions at work, unsuitable working hours, as well as pressure on time, too much concentration required, pressure of responsibility, insufficient recognition and lack of information about the planning and results of work being done. In the field of health complaints, back problems and nervous tension are at the top of the list (39%), followed by fatigue, sleeping problems, neck or leg problems, burning eyes, and stomach and intestinal problems (25-34%). The analysis shows that interrelationships exist--sometimes in the sense of a vicious circle--between complaints about disruptive factors in work conditions, professional groups, health problems and attitudes to professional live. The results provide a comprehensive survey of the incidence of problems in the fields of worker protection.