OBJECTIVE: To determine indices of sick leave (SL) absenteeism among workers in the administrative service area of a petroleum industry and to identify associated pathologies. METHODS: The study describes results of a retrospective cohort study involving 782 workers from an oil company, who were followed up from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. RESULTS: During the study period, 542 workers reported SL events with physician's statements. An average of 3.3 SL absences per worker was recorded, and 69.3% of the workers had gone through at least one SL episode. SL episodes lasted in average for 6.6 days, with a standard deviation of 9.8 days. Most of SL absences were due to musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders. Sixteen out of the 782 workers went through 17 work-related SL episodes (worksite accidents, commuting accidents and occupational illnesses). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases are the most recurrent causes of sick leave absenteeism. The rates of absenteeism due to SL, in this population yet rarely investigated from the epidemiological point of view, were similar to those described in literature.
absenteeism; sick leave; workers; petroleum industry; occupational health
