Survey on quality of life of workers engaged in various manufacturing industries

Objective  To observe the status of life quality of workers in manufacturing industries occupationally exposed to hazards.

Methods A total of 1 484 workers in 6 enterprises, which were printing, lighting and electronics manufacturing industries, were surveyed with SF-36 scale, while the data of their occupational exposure in these enterprises were collected.

Results The monitoring data showed that organic solvent concentrations at some workplaces were still high and the compliance rate in the printing industry was the lowest (95.5%)(P < 0.05). In the lighting industry, the compliance rates of dust and noise at workplaces were the lowest (96.3% and 69.8%, respectively). The scores of SF-36 scales of workers in these 3 industries varied significantly. The workers in the electronics manufacturing industry had the highest score, while the workers in printing industry had the lowest score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that occupational exposure to organic solvents, noise and dust affected the workers' dimensions of physical and mental health (P < 0.01), while the regular physical exercise had a positive effect (P < 0.01).

Conclusion The quality of life of workers in various industries was different and may be associated with different occupational hazards in the industry and physical exercise.