Factors associated with fatal occupational accidents among Mexican workers: a national analysis.

Mery Gonzalez-Delgado,Julián Alfredo Fernández-Niño,Víctor H Borja,Héctor Gómez-Dantés,Eduardo Robles,Miriam Aguilar,Xuefeng Ren

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121490

Mery Gonzalez-Delgado, Julián Alfredo Fernández-Niño + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0121490

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify the factors associated with fatal occupational injuries in Mexico in 2012 among workers affiliated with the Mexican Social Security Institute.MethodsAnalysis of secondary data using information from the National Occupational Risk Information System, with the consequence of the occupational injury (fatal versus non-fatal) as the response variable. The analysis included 406,222 non-fatal and 1,140 fatal injuries from 2012. The factors associated with the lethality of the injury were identified using a logistic regression model with the Firth approach.ResultsBeing male (OR=5.86; CI95%: 4.22-8.14), age (OR=1.04; CI95%: 1.03-1.06), employed in the position for 1 to 10 years (versus less than 1 year) (OR=1.37; CI95%: 1.15-1.63), working as a facilities or machine operator or assembler (OR: 3.28; CI95%: 2.12- 5.07) and being a worker without qualifications (OR=1.96; CI95%: 1.18-3.24) (versus an office worker) were associated with fatality in the event of an injury. Additionally, companies classified as maximum risk (OR=1.90; CI 95%: 1.38-2.62), workplace conditions (OR=7.15; CI95%: 3.63-14.10) and factors related to the work environment (OR=9.18; CI95%:4.36-19.33) were identified as risk factors for fatality in the event of an occupational injury.ConclusionsFatality in the event of an occupational injury is associated with factors related to sociodemographics (age, sex and occupation), the work environment and workplace conditions. Worker protection policies should be created for groups with a higher risk of fatal occupational injuries in Mexico.

Highlights

The concept of “decent work” proposed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to its member countries includes the promotion of the equality, safety and dignity of workers worldwide [1]
Companies classified as maximum risk (OR=1.90; CI 95%: 1.38-2.62), workplace conditions (OR=7.15; CI95%: 3.63-14.10) and factors related to the work environment (OR=9.18; CI95%:4.36-19.33) were identified as risk factors for fatality in the event of an occupational injury
Fatality in the event of an occupational injury is associated with factors related to sociodemographics, the work environment and workplace conditions

Summary

Introduction

The concept of “decent work” proposed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to its member countries includes the promotion of the equality, safety and dignity of workers worldwide [1]. To this end, the measurement of sensitivity indicators—such as the number of occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths—provides a complete epidemiological panorama of the health and safety status of workers [1]. The World Bank calculates that 60% of the population over 15 years of age is employed worldwide [8] This is the population requiring resources and efforts to meet the goals for decent work, and which is potentially at risk of occupational injuries and illnesses. 6,300 workers die due to occupational causes daily, 5,500 of which are caused by occupational illnesses and 800 by occupational injuries, resulting in 2.3 million deaths annually—surpassing the deaths from AIDS (1.6 million) reported worldwide for the year 2012 [6,9,10]

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