Reasons why the dockers lost their fitness for work--a retrospective survey.

Evaluation of the reasons for loss of capability for performing heavy and very heavy loading operations was based on retrospective population examinations carried out in two loading sites in ports. Enrolled in the study were 701 people, their working period in port over 5 years (mean 18.9 +/- 6.1 years). The age of the examined averaged 42.4 +/- 11.3 years. In course of 6 years 32.4% of this group changed their work due to structural changes in port, 67.6% due to loss of health qualifications. In the evaluation of health reasons predominant were diseases of the peripheral nervous system, of musculoskeletal system and of connective tissue (22.4%). Second as to the incidence were chronic diseases of the respiratory system and upper respiratory tracts (17.8%), in that 6% of allergies and 1.3% tuberculosis. Next were diseases of the circulatory system (13.3%), out of 3.8% were hypertension and 4.7% heart ischaemic disease. Last position was occupied by diseases of the stomach and duodenum (7.1%) and posttraumatic states of the muscular and osseous system (4.3%). Changing of the working post for health reasons up to 30th year of age occurred in 6.8%, up to 40th year in 10.1% and to 50th year of life in 62.2% people examined. Change of the working post due to professional or educational promotion occurred chiefly below the age of 40.