Introduction This study aimed to analyse associations between work processes and suffering in workers of the SAUVI-Betim survey. It is a cross-sectional study, which analysed data from this survey, conducted in the years 2014–2015 in the city of Betim Brazil.

Methods Initially, general survey information was analysed comparing groups of workers and non-workers. Then, an analysis was made comprising only the group of workers (614 people). The statistical analysis included the application of the chi-square test in the contingency tables and the analysis of correspondences between ‘Work’ and ‘Health’ categories.

Results Statistical significance (p<0.05) was found, mainly between being female and a higher frequency of depression, anxiety/other psychiatric problem and use of sleeping aids; being male and the positive CAGE result; ‘separated/divorced’ marital status and self-report of depression and use of sleeping aids; lower family incomes with self-reported depression; and the use of sleeping aids in the 50–59 age group. In addition, the correspondence analysis found the following associations: the consumption of alcoholic beverages was greater for those who carried out extensive journeys; the positive CAGE result was associated with worse working conditions; both the use of sleeping pills and the anxiety/other psychiatric problem was associated with night work; and self-reported depression was associated with overtime work.

Discussion This study pointed out that certain characteristics of the work processes were associated with the variables related to suffering in workers of the SAUVI survey. Other research that evaluates causation and investigates other variables should be conducted.