Evaluation of the working conditions and health status of workers in warehouses and logistics platforms

The logistic sector is a fast-growing industry with a high incidence of work accidents and occupational diseases. Our objective was to describe the working conditions and health status of workers in the logistic sector by comparing them with employees in other professional sectors.Methods. - A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using data from the Sumer 2010 and 2017 surveys and the Evrest observatory (2008-2012 and 201-2017).Results. - Logistic jobs involve an omnipresent physical load, including more manual handling of loads and musculoskeletal constraints than in other occupational sectors. In addition to working in a cold environment and being exposed to the vibrations of handling equipment, a high prevalence of spinal and upper limb injuries has been demonstrated among logistic employees. Noisy warehouses and the use of voice commands are a source of hearing fatigue. On the other hand, they have little decision latitude due to a rigid work organization with just -in-time order preparation and strict deadlines to meet increasing customer demands. However, in part because of a high level of social support, their mental health remains preserved. No more sick leave or work accidents were found than in other sectors. Yet our method did not allow us to include temporary workers, who represent up to 30% of the logistic workforce.Conclusion. - In order to improve the knowledge of the logistic sector, it would be worthwhile to implement a longitudinal follow-up of employees, focusing on specific jobs and including temporary employees, in order to identify psychosocial factors and their consequences on the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders and on work accident incidence in the sector.