Musculoskeletal disorders and disability among forest industry workers in lower and higher sickness absence groups: a case-control study

Background: Musculoskeletal wellbeing and disorders and explanatory factors were investigated among forest industry employees. Methods: A new positive approach to maintenance of working ability focuses on being present at work. 140 individuals with low sickness absence (≤1.5% in hours during the past 6.5 years) and 140 controls with higher sickness absence (>1.5%), randomly selected from the source population (n = 636) in workplace clusters (n = 5), were studied. Questionnaire data on functioning, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and disability, work ability and wellbeing were collected (response rate 65%) during December 2012–January 2013. 183 employees (mean age 48.5; females 32%) particip…