Reasons for loss of fitness of dockers to perform physically heavy loading operations.

The present evaluation of reasons for loss of fitness to perform heavy and very heavy loading operations in dockers was based on a prospective study comprising a selected population of 508 men, carried out in 1989. A follow-up of their health and ability to perform loading operations continued until 1995. In this period change of the working post caused by health problems was observed in 185 (36.4%) men, 67 (13.2%) people either quitted work or got a disciplinary dismissal, 24 (4.7%) subjects got a promotion and 80 retired. 12 dockers deceased (2.45%); noteworthy, no death was associated with the work performed. They were 140 dockers (27.6%) that remained on their posts after 7 years of observation. In the group of 185 dockers the main reason for the medical disqualification for work were the diseases of the nervous peripheral and musculoskeletal system and of the connective tissue in 71 men (38.4%), chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tracts in 36 men (19.4%), circulatory system diseases in 24 cases (13.0%) and posttraumatic states of the musculoskeletal system in 16 cases (8.6%). A proper health qualification is crucial for a long-lasting fitness to work.