Meat Processing Workers Research Articles

Effectiveness of Trained Community Lay Workers on Glycemic Control, Knowledge, and Self-Efficacy Among Agricultural Workers with Diabetes in the Texas Panhandle

Systemic health barriers, economic challenges, and lack of follow-up care exacerbate self-management of chronic diseases like diabetes among Hispanic agricultural workers. The primary objective of this pilot project was to determine the benefit of using community coaches to decrease A1C levels and increase diabetes knowledge among agricultural workers with diagnosed diabetes in the Texas Panhandle. A longitudinal study design with two phases was used to create, deliver, and evaluate a diabetes coaching program. Phase 1 was the development of the program and community coaches training (n = 4). In Phase 2, the coaches then delivered the program over 12 weeks to thirteen clients. Phase 1: All coaches were Hispanic females, 28.3 (SD 3.8) years of age, half had at most a high school education level and the other half had a vocational certification (n = 4). Mean DKQ-24 score was 54.2% (SD = 29.7) at baseline and 75.0% (SD = 31.4) after training (t (4) = 4.6, P < 0.05). We observed a very large difference between mean baseline and exit DKQ-24 scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 0.59 indicative of a medium to large learning effect. Phase 2: Clients were Hispanic Spanish-speaking, predominantly female (55%), 44.4 (SD 6.8) years of age with at most a high school level of education (88.9%) and occupations varied from dairy farm worker (33.3%), meat processing worker (33.3%), and other agriculture or manufacturing position (33.3%). The mean SKILLD score was 40.0% (SD = 28.7) at baseline, increasing to 72.2% (SD = 25.4) at 12 weeks upon completion of the coaching program (t (9) = 2.956, P < 0.05). We observed a very large difference between mean baseline and exit SKILLD scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 1.13 indicative of a large learning effect. The mean A1C levels at baseline screening was 8.3% (SD = 3.0) and 7.6% (SD = 3.0) at exit screening, representing a 0.7% decrease (p = 0.4730). No statistically significant differences were observed between depression (p = 0.786) or anxiety (p = 1.000) measures at baseline compared to exit. Training and coaching programs for hard-to-reach agricultural and meat processing workers must be culturally, linguistically, and literacy appropriate for both coaches and clients. The program must be feasible and sustainable, focus on empowering community members, capitalize on technological advances and persisting new-normals from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as dismantle common systemic barriers to health and understanding lived-experiences of agricultural working populations in rural regions.

‘The reason why I got it … ’ – messages from people diagnosed with leptospirosis about infection in the workplace and its impact on livelihoods

ABSTRACT In Aotearoa New Zealand, leptospirosis is a disease that mostly affects people working with livestock on farms and in abattoirs, with Māori and Pasifika workers more likely to be hospitalised than others. This article shares an analysis of thirteen interviews with people diagnosed with leptospirosis. They were asked to advise colleagues and employers, as well as share how their illness had affected their income – informing health officials and workplace insurers. Their comments suggest that most workers are aware of the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safe operating environments, and they know how they contracted the disease. However, they remove PPE or take shortcuts knowingly, often under time pressure. Comments on the financial impact of their illness suggest most farmers received support from family and community, but most meat-processing workers did not. Worse, while most farmers said their financial losses were limited, many meat-processing workers felt forced to return to work too soon because they needed the income. Farmers were almost exclusively farm owners. Financial assistance (ACC) is more needed for some than for others. However, while such assistance is welcomed when it arrives, all interviewees described personal interactions with the administration of financial assistance as disrespectful or dispiriting.

Mixed Messages and COVID-19 Prevention: Why Information Is Not Always Enough to Protect Meat Processing Workers

The objective of this project was to investigate U.S. meat and poultry processing workers' knowledge of COVID-19, perceived ability to protect themselves from infection, and perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines to inform COVID-19 prevention efforts within this linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse workforce. Qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with Mexican, Central American, Congolese refugee, and Black or African American meat/poultry processing workers from Mississippi, Minnesota, Virginia, and Kentucky (N=40). Data were collected from December 5, 2020, to January 28, 2021. Interview audio was transcribed, and rapid qualitative data analysis was used to analyze transcripts. Most participants expressed receiving mixed messages about COVID-19 protection measures: they were told how to protect themselves (n=38), but workplace policies (such as lack of paid sick leave) often undermined their efforts. Participants who were asked about COVID-19 vaccines (n=31) were aware there were one or more vaccines available to protect them from COVID-19; one-third were eager to get vaccinated. Community-based efforts may consider supplementing large scale unified information campaigns in order to prevent mixed messages, address worker needs to accurately gauge the threat of illness to their families and communities and empower them to prevent infection.

CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME: AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common problem in certain occupations. Many etiological factors have been suggested for CTS which include repetitive, prolonged hand and intensive activities, forceful exertions, awkward or static posture, vibration, temperature extremes and localised mechanical stress. The references were taken from Grays` anatomy and B.D.Chourasiya which we are supplemented by systematic searches on Google and Pubmed with keywords, occupation incidence, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive activities, several specic occupations including cutting metal, dealing with meat and sh processing, slaughter house, manufacturing and construction workers, musicians, repetitive industrial work groups, frozen, food factory employees, grocery store workers, footwear factory workers, etc. In summary, this study concludes that certain occupations involving wrist activities increases the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is recommended that prolonged exposure to highly repetitive action of wrist (i.e. exion and extension) movements should be avoided.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, working conditions, and related risk factors in the meat processing industry: Comparative analysis of Iran-Poland.

Activities performed by people in the meat processing industry are very repetitive, time-consuming, dangerous, and require long-term downtime during a shift (forced-static position). This study aims to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and working conditions among Polish and Iranian workers to fill this research gap. A comparative analysis of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in developed and developing countries was conducted. After selecting the target factories, data was collected using Nordic and Mental Stress Questionnaires and 3DSSPP software with the participation of 110 meat processing workers, including 55 Iranian and 55 Polish. This study showed nearly the same prevalence of MSDs among male Iranian and Polish workers, especially in elbow, wrist/hand, upper back, hip/thigh, and ankle/foot. The overall prevalence of MSDs was relatively high and connected to the lower back (38%, 64%), knee (40%, 24%), neck (24%, 42%), and upper back (24%, 34.5%), among Iranian and Polish workers, respectively. Assessment of logistic regression disclosed that the workplace is considerably associated with the elbow and the ankle/foot musculoskeletal pain, with 2.34 and 3.81 times more likely for the production room, respectively, among Iranian workers. Age, gender, type of occupation, work experience, smoking, insufficient physical activity, workplace, working postures, and stress level all affected the likelihood of MSDs happening in various body regions in both countries, implying that both individual and work-related (both physical and psychosocial) aspects should be taken into consideration when evaluating and managing such complaints in this workforce.

Cost Analysis of Providing Overtime to Current Nurses Versus Hiring a Dedicated Nurse for COVID-19 Management in a Processing Plant.

U.S. meat and poultry processing workers experienced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 illness following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Managing prevention and surveillance activities for COVID-19 prevention required additional work for occupational health nurses. The purpose of this project was to conduct a cost analysis for two staffing options to address the increased workload for occupational health nurses. An economic quality improvement design was used for this study. The project was performed at a meat and poultry processing plant with 1,800 employees and six occupational health nurses. Two staffing options were considered. Option 1 was to continue to pay current occupational health nurses overtime, and Option 2 was to hire a COVID-dedicated nurse to manage the increased workload. A cost analysis was conducted for wages per hour plus benefits at three time points: 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years. Costs for Option 1 (continuing overtime) at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years were estimated at US$27,370, US$109,517, and US$328,550, respectively. Costs for Option 2 (hiring a COVID-dedicated nurse) at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years were estimated at US$44,279, US$94,979, and US$230,179, respectively. Hiring a dedicated COVID nurse would save the processing plant extensive salary costs by Year 3. Reducing overtime had the potential to decrease the COVID-19-related workload and potential experiences of fatigue and burnout in occupational health nurses.

COVID-19 Supply Chain Impact on Farmworkers and Meat Processing Workers

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, there were various impacts on global food supply chains, including on food systems workers. Media reports documented COVID-19 outbreaks among food systems workers in the United States, however due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic, a thorough review of literature on the workplace impacts of COVID-19 on workers in our food system was scarce. This report reviews (i) the impacts of COVID-19 on global food supply chain workers; (ii) the existing and new vulnerabilities workers in this sector faced pertaining to workplace health and safety; (iii) the effectiveness of various initiatives or mechanisms to mitigate those risks; and (iv) how best practices could be incorporated into university institutional procurement practices. In order to narrow the scope of the research, this report focuses specifically on the human rights impact of COVID-19 on agricultural and meatpacking workers within the United States. Extensive interviews, as well as analysis of existing data and literature, found that the primary reason the frontline workers had a high risk of contracting COVID-19 was due to multiple pre-existing structural failures of historically eroded worker protections in the United States. Based on evidence gathered from desk research and interviews, the report coalesces around two sets of recommendations. The first is a broad set of recommendations focusing on policy and legal changes that can create greater protections for workers in these sectors. The second set of recommendations are for institutional food procurement actors, specifically universities, on actions to be taken to support values-driven procurement practices that can enhance greater protections for workers in these sectors through procurement decisions.

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Meat Processing Workers in Nebraska, USA, and Effectiveness of Risk Mitigation Measures

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Meat Processing Workers in Nebraska, USA, and Effectiveness of Risk Mitigation Measures

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Meat Processing Workers in Nebraska, USA, and Effectiveness of Risk Mitigation Measures.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the meat processing industry in the United States. We sought to detail demographics and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections among workers in Nebraska meat processing facilities and determine the effects of initiating universal mask policies and installing physical barriers at 13 meat processing facilities. During April 1–July 31, 2020, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 5,002 Nebraska meat processing workers (attack rate 19%). After initiating both universal masking and physical barrier interventions, 8/13 facilities showed a statistically significant reduction in COVID-19 incidence in <10 days. Characteristics and incidence of confirmed cases aligned with many nationwide trends becoming apparent during this pandemic: specifically, high attack rates among meat processing industry workers, disproportionately high risk of adverse outcomes among ethnic and racial minority groups and men, and effectiveness of using multiple prevention and control interventions to reduce disease transmission.

Exploratory study to determine if risk factors for occupational skin disease vary by type of food processing operation.

Occupational skin disease (OSD) is a common health issue in the food processing sector. However, risk factors for OSD are suspected to differ according to the nature of the operation. To ascertain if the risk factors for OSD vary depending on the type of food processing operation, namely meat processing vs. a commercial bakery. Participants were asked to answer questions regarding workplace exposures and the current skin condition of their hands. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify differences between the two participating operations. The meat processing workers were more likely to have wet work exposure, used hand sanitizer more often and changed their gloves more frequently. These findings from meat processing represented a statistically significant difference compared to the commercial bakery workers. Also, workers from meat processing reported more severe skin symptoms. Risk factors for OSD apparently differ between types of food processing operations. Differences in the nature of skin symptoms were also found between the two participating operations. It is therefore suggested that future studies examining OSD within the food processing sector should evaluate this health effect based on the nature of operations rather than the sector as a whole.

Coronavirus Disease among Workers in Food Processing, Food Manufacturing, and Agriculture Workplaces.

We describe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among US food manufacturing and agriculture workers and provide updated information on meat and poultry processing workers. Among 742 food and agriculture workplaces in 30 states, 8,978 workers had confirmed COVID-19; 55 workers died. Racial and ethnic minority workers could be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Increases in Health-Related Workplace Absenteeism Among Workers in Essential Critical Infrastructure Occupations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, March-April 2020.

During a pandemic, syndromic methods for monitoring illness outside of health care settings, such as tracking absenteeism trends in schools and workplaces, can be useful adjuncts to conventional disease reporting (1,2). Each month, CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) monitors the prevalence of health-related workplace absenteeism among currently employed full-time workers in the United States, overall and by demographic and occupational subgroups, using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS).* This report describes trends in absenteeism during October 2019-April 2020, including March and April 2020, the period of rapidly accelerating transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Overall, the prevalence of health-related workplace absenteeism in March and April 2020 were similar to their 5-year baselines. However, compared with occupation-specific baselines, absenteeism among workers in several occupational groups that define or contain essential critical infrastructure workforce† categories was significantly higher than expected in April. Significant increases in absenteeism were observed in personal care and service§ (includes child care workers and personal care aides); healthcare support¶; and production** (includes meat, poultry, and fish processing workers). Although health-related workplace absenteeism remained relatively unchanged or decreased in other groups, the increase in absenteeism among workers in occupational groups less able to avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (3) highlights the potential impact of COVID-19 on the essential critical infrastructure workforce because of the risks and concerns of occupational transmission of SARS-CoV-2. More widespread and complete collection of occupational data in COVID-19 surveillance is required to fully understand workers' occupational risks and inform intervention strategies. Employers should follow available recommendations to protect workers' health.

Fatal case of bacteremia caused by Streptococcus suis in a splenectomized man and a review of the European literature

Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic human pathogen, which is a causative agent of invasive infections in people who are in close contact with infected pigs or contaminated pork products. It is associated with severe systemic infections, most commonly meningitis and sepsis, which may lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Serotype 2 is the most prevalent type in S. suis infections in humans. We have reported a case of a very rapidly proceeding fatal human S. suis infection in a splenectomized, but otherwise immunocompetent patient in Hungary. We would like to highlight the attention for this pathogen for the risk group patients, not only pig breeders, veterinarians, abattoir workers, meat processing and transport workers, butchers and cooks, that those persons who are immunocompromised including those with spleen removed, persons with diabetes mellitus, cancer and alcoholism, are also at greater risk of infection.

Indigeneity, Dissent, and Solidarity: Māori and Strikes in the Meat Industry inAotearoaNew Zealand During the Long 1970s

AbstractStudies of indigenous workers’ resistance focus largely on rural workers. In contrast, this article examines indigenous workers’ dissent in an industrialized and largely urbanized setting – that of Māori meat processing workers inAotearoaNew Zealand. I argue that far from being passive victims of colonization and capitalism, Māori meatworkers played an often vital role in the generally extensive informal and formal labour unrest that occurred in the meat industry during the late 1960s to the mid-1980s. However, Māori meatworkers’ resistance and solidarity was not universal, but instead varied significantly, both spatially and temporally. The dissent and solidarity that occurred were often a product of the multi-ethnic informal work groups that existed in many slaughterhouses. These workplace-whānau, in which Māori played a pivotal role, functioned similar to extended family networks on the killing floor. Workplace-whānaurepresented a significant intertwining of indigeneity and class. Nevertheless, as they were often based on masculine bonds, they frequently excluded female workers (including Māori women).

Occupational bronchial asthma caused by exposure to polyvinyl chloride: phenotypes of the disease

Introduction.Mechanism underlying development of occupational bronchial asthma (OA) caused by exposure to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) aerosols is not completely clear. Complex properties of PVC aerosols components indicate possible development of OA among workers via both non-immune and immune mechanisms.Objectiveis to study clinical and genetic characteristics of occupational bronchial asthma development at meat packers’ workplace.Materials and methods.Examination covered 113 male and female meat-processing plant workers. A group (48 people) appeared to have daily contact with toxic-allergenic aerosols which were released as a smoke into the working area from molten PVC membrane during the meat products packing. All the examinees underwent clinical and functional tests of bronchopulmonary system and molecular genetic studies: identification of hyposecretory alleles of α–1IP gene; determination of genetic polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT 1.Results and discussion.The study proved that exposure to PVC degradation products causes irritation and sensitization of the respiratory tract, visible mucous membranes and skin. The examinees with 5–10 years of service demonstrated reversible obstructive pulmonary ventilation disorders with bronchial hypersensitivity to occupational factors (30 people) and symptoms of bronchial asthma (18 people) of immune and non-immune origin. The asthma phenotypes were determined: occupational — immune and non-immune (11 people) and aggravated by work conditions (7 people). The study proved that individual risk factors of occupational bronchial asthma in meat-packers are: hyposecretory PiMZ variant of α1-PI gene and deletion of glutathione-S-transferase genes (GSTM1 and GSTT 1). The findings prove that meatpackers’ asthma is a multifactorial disease.Conclusion.Hyposecretory alleles of α1-PI gene appeared to participate in occupational bronchial asthma development. Identified relationships between hyposecretory variants of α1-PI gene, null alleles of glutathione-S-transferase genes (GSTM1 and GSTT 1) carriage, occupational bronchial asthma development and severity suggest that meat-packers’ asthma is a multifactorial disease. This could be an explanation of various phenotypes of occupational bronchial asthma. Problem of occupational bronchial asthma development due to influence of PVC pyrolysis products necessitates further wide clinical, hygienic and molecular genetic studies.

Effectiveness and Cost-benefit Evaluation of a Comprehensive Workers\u2019 Health Surveillance Program for Sustainable Employability of Meat Processing Workers

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive workers’ health surveillance (WHS) program on aspects of sustainable employability and cost-benefit. Methods A cluster randomized stepped wedge trial was performed in a Dutch meat processing company from february 2012 until march 2015. In total 305 workers participated in the trial. Outcomes were retrieved during a WHS program, by multiple questionnaires, and from company registries. Primary outcomes were sickness absence, work ability, and productivity. Secondary outcomes were health, vitality, and psychosocial workload. Data were analyzed with linear and logistic multilevel models. Cost-benefit analyses from the employer’s perspective were performed as well. Results Primary outcomes sickness absence (OR = 1.40), work ability (B = −0.63) and productivity (OR = 0.71) were better in the control condition. Secondary outcomes did not or minimally differ between conditions. Of the 12 secondary outcomes, the only outcome that scored better in the experimental condition was meaning of work (B = 0.18). Controlling for confounders did not or minimally change the results. However, our stepped wedge design did not enable adjustment for confounding in the last two periods of the trial. The WHS program resulted in higher costs for the employer on the short and middle term. Conclusions Primary outcomes did not improve after program implementation and secondary outcomes remained equal after implementation. The program was not cost-beneficial after 1–3 year follow-up. Main limitation that may have contributed to absence of positive effects may be program failure, because interventions were not deployed as intended.

Process Evaluation of a Workers\u2019 Health Surveillance Program for Meat Processing Workers

Objective To evaluate the implementation process of a workers’ health surveillance (WHS) program in a Dutch meat processing company. Methods Workers from five plants were eligible to participate in the WHS program. The program consisted of four evaluative components and an intervention component. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate seven process aspects. Data were gathered by interviews with stakeholders, participant questionnaires, and from registries of the company and occupational health service. Results Two recruitment strategies were used: open invitation or automatic participation. Of the 986 eligible workers, 305 participated in the program. Average reach was 53 %. Two out of five program components could not be assessed on dose delivered, dose received and fidelity. If components were assessable, 85–100 % of the components was delivered, 66–100 % of the components was received by participants, and fidelity was 100 %. Participants were satisfied with the WHS program (mean score 7.6). Contextual factors that facilitated implementation were among others societal developments and management support. Factors that formed barriers were program novelty and delayed follow-up. Conclusion The WHS program was well received by participants. Not all participants were offered the same number of program components, and not all components were performed according to protocol. Deviation from protocol is an indication of program failure and may affect program effectiveness.

The Effect of a Workplace-Based Early Intervention Program on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Compensation Outcomes at a Poultry Meat Processing Plant.

Introduction The aim of this study is to determine whether a workplace-based early intervention injury prevention program reduces work-related musculoskeletal compensation outcomes in poultry meat processing workers. Methods A poultry meatworks in Queensland, Australia implemented an onsite early intervention which included immediate reporting and triage, reassurance, multidisciplinary participatory consultation, workplace modifica tion and onsite physiotherapy. Secondary pre-post analyses of the meatworks' compensation data over 4years were performed, with the intervention commencing 2years into the study period. Outcome measures included rate of claims, costs per claim and work days absent at an individual claim level. Where possible, similar analyses were performed on data for Queensland's poultry meat processing industry (excluding the meatworks used in this study). Results At the intervention meatworks, in the post intervention period an 18% reduction in claims per 1 million working hours (p=0.017) was observed. Generalized linear modelling revealed a significant reduction in average costs per claim of $831 (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.59-0.93; p=0.009). Median days absent was reduced by 37% (p=0.024). For the poultry meat processing industry over the same period, generalized linear modelling revealed no significant change in average costs per claim (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.76-1.36; p=0.91). Median days absent was unchanged (p=0.93). Conclusion The introduction of an onsite, workplace-based early intervention injury prevention program demonstrated positive effects on compensation outcomes for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in poultry meat processing workers. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

Investigating the effect of a 3-month workplace-based pedometer-driven walking programme on health-related quality of life in meat processing workers: a feasibility study within a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundIn New Zealand, meat processing populations face many health problems as a result of the nature of work in meat processing industries. The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a pedometer-based intervention to increase physical activity and improve health-related outcomes in a population of meat processing workers.MethodsA single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. A convenience sample of meat workers (n = 58; mean age 41.0 years; range: 18-65) participated in the trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Intervention participants (n = 29) utilized a pedometer to self monitor their activity, whilst undertaking a brief intervention, and educational material. Control participants (n = 29) received educational material only. The primary outcomes of ambulatory activity, and health-related quality of life, were evaluated at baseline, immediately following the 12-week intervention and three months post-intervention.ResultsFifty three participants completed the program (91.3% adherence). Adherence with the intervention group was high, 93% (n = 27/29), and this group increased their mean daily step count from 5993 to 9792 steps per day, while the control group steps changed from 5788 to 6551 steps per day from baseline. This increase in step counts remained significant within the intervention group p < 0.005; at three months post-intervention representing a 59% increase over baseline scores. There were significant group changes with large effect sizes for step count change (d = 1.94) and self-reported physical activity (p < 0.005; d = 2.59) at 12 weeks intervention. Further, results showed non-significant between-group differences in physical component (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores (PCS: p = 0.44; MGD = 0.99, 95% CI, -1.6 to 3.6; ES = 0.14, and MCS: p = 0.90, MGD = 0.15; 95% CI, -2.3 to 2.6, ES = 0.022) at 12 weeks intervention.ConclusionsThis research provides important information for a larger (RCT) in the future: results demonstrated that a pedometer-driven walking intervention in combination with goal setting, and self-monitoring supported by weekly e-mails are feasible and potentially effective in increasing step count within the workplace setting over the short term.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12613000087752.

Workers' Health Surveillance in the Meat Processing Industry: Work and Health Indicators Associated with Work Ability.

Background Workers’ health surveillance (WHS) programs commonly measure a large number of indicators addressing health habits and health risks. Recently, work ability and functional capacity have been included as important risk measures in WHS. In order to address work ability appropriately, knowledge of associations with work and health measures is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate which of the factors measured in a WHS are independently associated with work ability in a group of meat processing workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in a large meat processing company in The Netherlands. Data were collected during a WHS between February 2012 and March 2014. Personal characteristics, health habits and health-risk indicators, functional capacity, and work-related factors were measured. Work ability was measured with the Work Ability Index and was used as dependent variable. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Results Data sets from 230 employees were used for analyses. The average age was 53 years and the average work ability index score was 39.3. In the final multivariable model age (OR 0.94), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.03), need for recovery (OR 0.56), and overhead work capacity (OR 3.95) contributed significantly. The AUC for this model was 0.81 (95 % CI 0.75–0.86). Conclusion Findings from the current study indicate that multifactorial outcomes (age, systolic blood pressure, need for recovery, and overhead work capacity) from a WHS were independently associated with work ability. These factors can be used to assess employees at risk for low work ability and might provide directions for interventions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10926-015-9569-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.