The presentation shows the development and validation of a new job exposure index based on standard classifications of occupations (ISCO-88 and KldB-92). It can be used for free (with proper citation) and matched to any data that has occupations in it.

1. European Validation of a Job Exposure Index
based on ISCO-88 and KldB-92
Dr. Lars Eric Kroll
The Robert Koch Institute is a Federal Institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health

2. Background
Source: Kroll 2011 (bit.ly/1gBpVJ8 )
 For population-representative studies, there are few tools that enable
an approximate collection of work related risks.
 Therefore, a score for the approximation work related risks applicable
via standard classifications of occupations (ISCO-88, KldB-92) in any
study was developed.
 Due its, which was done using multi-level regression models, the Index
is statistically robust can be used even for rare occupations.
 The index is based on a large employment survey of 2006 and is
published by the GESIS
 The Index is openly accessable over the Internet (for free in scientific
studies).
Index zum Herunterladen: http://www.gesis.org/publikationen/zeitschriften/mda/jg-5-2011-heft-1/

3. Index Domains

4. Perception risks at work
Source: Kroll (2011), GEDA 2009, % stating own health heavily at risk due to work

5. Mortality of men
Source: Kroh et al. (2012), SOEP 1984-2012, Alter 65+

6. Aims of the current study
1.
Is the index a predictor for work related health
risks in other European countries?
2.
For which outcomes?
3.
Are there gender differences regarding ist
predictive ability in Europe?

7. European Working Conditions Survey
The European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) is conducted by the
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
(EFILWC), which is an autonomous agency of the European Union (EU), funded
from the general budget of the European Commission.
Past and current survey
• First EWCS in 1990/1991: workers in the EC12 were surveyed
• Second EWCS in 1995/1996: workers in the EU15 were surveyed
• Third EWCS in 2000: the EU15 and Norway were surveyed in a first
phase, the survey then being extended to cover the 12 “new” Member
States in 2001, and Turkey in 2002 in a second phase
• Fourth EWCS in 2005: EU27, plus Norway, Croatia, Turkey and Switzerland
• Fifth EWCS 2010: 44,000 workers interviewed in the
EU27, Norway, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.

8. EWCS 2010
Referenced Population: 216 million people aged 15+ and
employed (according to ILO definition) in the EU27
Methods: CAPI; Field Time from January to June 2010 conducted by Gallup Europe
Sample Size: 43,816 workers from 34 European countries
Translation Process: Master National translators (2)  comined version  ReTranslation  Evaluation nat. and int. Experts  Final Version (32 languages)
Cooperation Rate and Response Rate: 63% Cooperation Rate; 48% Response Rate
Availability: UK Data Archive

9. EWCS 2010: Currently Working

10. Outcomes
 Health Risks
Do you think your health or safety is at risk because of your work?
Yes vs. No/Don’t know – no opinion
 Health Status
How is your health in general? Would you say it is …
Fair/Bad/Very Bad vs. Good/Very Good
 Health affected by work
Does your work affect your health, or not?
Yes, mainly negatively vs. No, not at all/Yes, mainly positive
 Symptom Score
Over the last 12 months, did you suffer from any of health problems?
5 to 14 symptoms vs. 0 to 4 symptoms

11. Sample Characteristics
Data: EWCS 2010, currently working, age 18 to 64 years (n= 40.440)
Missing Values: None 94,3%, one 4.8%, more then one 0.9%

12. Variation of OJI by EWCS 2010 Country
Data: EWCS 2010, currently working, age 18 to 64 years (n= 40.440)

13. Aggregate Level Association of OJI, Risks and Health
Data: EWCS 2010, currently working, age 18 to 64 years (n= 40.440)

14. Individual Level Association of OJI, Risks and Health
Data: EWCS 2010, currently working, age 18 to 64 years (n= 40.440)
OR=6,7
OR=4,1
OR=2,6
OR=2,3

15. Logistic Multi-Level-Regression on Outcomes
Data: EWCS 2010, currently working, age 18 to 64 years (n= 40.440)
Health
Risks
Gender
Men
Women
Job Risk Index (OJI)
low
medium
high
Interaction OJI x women
low x women
medium x women
high x women
MOR for country
Health
affected
OR
p
Ref.
0,63 0,00
OR
Ref.
0,81
Ref.
2,43 0,00
4,26 0,00
Ref.
1,65
2,70
Ref.
1,07 0,50
0,94 0,54
1,52 0,00
Ref.
1,08
0,96
1,58
p
Health
Status
0,01
OR
Ref.
1,04
0,00
0,00
Ref.
1,18
1,61
0,35
0,68
0,00
Ref.
1,13
1,32
1,76
*Controlled for education, working hours and years on the job
p
Health
problems
0,66
OR
Ref.
1,50
p
0,00
0,01
0,00
Ref.
1,39
1,83
0,00
0,00
0,16
0,00
0,00
Ref.
0,95
1,03
1,46
0,51
0,75
0,00

16. Conclusion
 The index for general stress at work is a good indicator of work stress and
health risks at work.
 The index was validated externally several times for Germany.
 In a European comparison, the index was a significant predictor of work
stress, regardless of gender and country.
 It can be used in epidemiological studies as an alternative to a dedicated
collection of work related exposures.
 It should be used primarily as a control variable for occupational exposures.

17. Download and test it right now!
Go to bit.ly/1gBuJOH
If you have any Questions, feel free to ask:
l.kroll@rki.de
Proper Citation:
Kroll, LE: Construction and Validation of a General Index for Job Demands in Occupations Based on ISCO-88
and KldB-92. MDA - methods, data, analyses 2011, 5:63-90.