On the analysis of sector-related and gender-related stresses at the workplace — An analysis of the AET data bank

Abstract

A database of stress analyses collected by an ergonomic job analysis procedure (AET) was evaluated. The database was collected between 1979 and 1993 in 350 organizations by 150 analysts trained in ergonomics and includes 3893 job analyses covering 216 stress factors. The methods used in the evaluation included univariate profile and frequency analyses. The data was subjected to an ex-post quota check by economic sector and gender. The stress factors working posture, heavy dynamic and active light work, static work, information reception and processing, physical and chemical working environment were investigated by economic sector and gender. Analysis shows that heavy dynamic work predominates in the building industry and in agriculture and active light work in manufacturing industry, whilst work in the private household involves high proportions of both heavy dynamic and active light work. Information reception via proprioceptors is of particular importance in the building industry and public corporations (e.g. municipal workers). The analysts gave high ratings to informatory and mental stress factors in jobs in the services sector and in public corporations. In contrast, physical and chemical environmental stress factors predominate in mining, manufacturing industry and the building industry. Significant gender-specific differences were found in the stresses arising from physical work, sensomotor work and the physical and chemical environmental factors. Investigations scheduled for the future are described.