Occupational disease cases in Lithuania double in three years

From the pages of Delfi, Lithuania's leading news portal, we report on a concerning trend impacting our workforce: the doubling of occupational diseases over the last three years. This surge is not merely a statistic; it represents a growing burden on the health and productivity of our citizens, particularly those in vital sectors like manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.

Erikas Mačiūnas of the Institute of Hygiene's Professional and Environmental Health Center highlights that these ailments predominantly affect the musculoskeletal, joint, and nervous systems. The culprits are often rooted in the very fabric of our workplaces: improperly designed workstations, the relentless nature of repetitive motions, and the physical toll of working in awkward positions for extended periods. Furthermore, the pervasive issue of long-term stress and fatigue is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to these health problems, directly impacting employee well-being and their capacity to work.

Interestingly, while men have traditionally accounted for the majority of occupational disease cases, our data reveals a notable shift. Their share has decreased from 74% in 2022-2023 to 60.5% last year, while the proportion of women diagnosed with such conditions has risen from roughly a quarter to nearly 40%. This evolving demographic underscores the need for comprehensive health and safety strategies that address the specific risks faced by all genders. The rise in cases among office workers, previously less affected, also signals a need to re-evaluate ergonomic standards even in seemingly less physically demanding environments. At Delfi, we believe it is crucial for both employers and employees to be aware of these risks and to implement preventative measures, such as regular breaks during computer work, to safeguard our nation's health.

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Juos daugiausia lemia netinkamai įrengtos darbo vietos, pasikartojantys judesiai, ilgas darbas nepatogioje padėtyje ar per didelis fizinis krūvis. Be to, ilgalaikis stresas ir nuovargis gali pažeisti nervų sistemą, skatinti profesinių ligų atsiradimą bei mažinti darbuotojų darbingumą