Work-Related Fatalities Involving Children in New Zealand, 1999-2014.

Rebbecca Lilley,Gabrielle Davie,Tim Driscoll,Brandon De Graaf,Bronwen Mcnoe

doi:10.3390/children8010004

Rebbecca Lilley, Gabrielle Davie + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/children8010004

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Abstract

In high income countries, children under 15 years of age are exposed to workplace hazards when they visit or live on worksites or participate in formal or informal work. This study describes the causes and circumstances of unintentional child work-related fatal injuries (child WRFI) in New Zealand. Potential cases were identified from the Mortality Collection using International Classification of Disease external cause codes: these were matched to Coronial records and reviewed for work-relatedness. Data were abstracted on the socio-demographic, employment and injury-related circumstances. Of the 1335 unintentional injury deaths in children from 1999 through 2014, 206 (15%) were identified as dying from a work-related injury: 9 workers and 197 bystanders—the majority involving vehicle crashes or being stuck by moving objects in incidents occurring on farms or public roads. Those at highest risk were males, preschoolers, and those of Māori or European ethnicity. Work made a notable contribution to the burden of unintentional fatal injury in children with most deaths highly preventable, largely by adult intervention and legislation. To address the determinants of child WRFI greater attention on rural farm and transport settings would result in a significant reduction in the injury mortality rates of New Zealand children.

Highlights

Unintentional injury is a leading cause of premature mortality in New Zealand children aged 1–14 years, accounting for two in five deaths in this age group [1,2,3]
This study reported child work-related fatal injury (WRFI) commonly occurred when children were bystanders to another person’s work process or activity, with the agriculture sector and farms in particular the dominant setting for these injuries [6]
Studies on child WRFI in other countries are limited, available evidence from Australia and the United States show a similar pattern as New Zealand, with the agricultural sector being the most common industry involved in child WRFI [7,8,9]

Summary

Introduction

Unintentional injury is a leading cause of premature mortality in New Zealand children aged 1–14 years, accounting for two in five deaths in this age group [1,2,3]. Not traditionally thought of as part of the formal workforce in high income countries, do participate in work under less formal arrangements such as casual work during school holidays, part-time work after school, and work in family businesses. They may be exposed to workplace hazards when they visit or live on worksites, such as farms. This study reported child WRFI commonly occurred when children were bystanders to another person’s work process or activity, with the agriculture sector and farms in particular the dominant setting for these injuries [6]. Studies on child WRFI in other countries are limited, available evidence from Australia and the United States show a similar pattern as New Zealand, with the agricultural sector being the most common industry involved in child WRFI [7,8,9]

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