Nonfatal Occupational Injuries Research Articles

Does obesity contribute to non-fatal occupational injury? Evidence from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

The relationship between obesity and occupational injuries remains unclear in the literature due to limitations in study design and sample composition. To better assess the contribution of obesity to occupational injury, we used data from a nationally representative cohort, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) in 1988-2000. We hypothesized that obesity contributes to workplace injury and tested the hypothesis using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and random-effects logistic regression. To ensure temporal precedence of obesity, we used the obesity level in each previous wave and examined its association with injury outcome in each wave from 1988-2000. Obesity was measured as body mass index (BMI) based on self-reported height and weight. The GEE analysis showed that obesity was associated with 25% higher odds of workplace injury [odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.12-1.39; P<0.001). The random-effects regression indicated that obese workers were associated with 29% higher odds of sustaining injuries than those of normal weight (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.15-1.45; P<0.001). Obesity may predispose workers to work-related injury; further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms.

Non-Fatal Occupational Injuries and Safety Climate: A Cross-Sectional Study of Construction Building Workers in Mit-Ghamr City, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Background: Construction is a dangerous industry, with high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Although, safety climate has been linked with safety performance and work-related accidents, yet it is scarcely studied and considered in injury prevention programs in developing countries. So, the objectives of this study are to find out the magnitude, pattern and risk factors of non-fatal occupational injuries among a sample of construction building workers and to explore the level of safety climate and its relationship with occupational injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 workers, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, in 18 large construction sites in Mit-Ghamr city, Dakahlia Governorate. Data about socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, description of occupational injuries, and work-related and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Occupational injuries in the past 12 months were reported by 46.2% of workers. The most common body parts injured were upper and lower limbs (31.0% and 26.2%). The majority of injuries were cuts/lacerations (30.9%) and contusions (28.6%). Falls (47.6%) and injuries by manual tools (23.8%) were the main causes of injuries. The majority of injured workers (90.5%) reported complete recovery after the most serious injury. The average of working days was lost per year due to occupational injuries (18.6 ± 7.8 days/year). None of the injured workers reported receiving sufficient first-aid treatment at worksite or filling an accident notification form. Extended working hours, poor safety climate, short duration of work, job dissatisfaction, young age, and job stress were significant risk factors of occupational injuries. Conclusion: Non-fatal occupational injuries are common among this sample of construction workers with significant relation to extended working hours and poor safety climate and other risk factors. So, it is important to build upon this research in order to help develop successful policies to prevent work-related injuries and promote safer work practices for construction building workers.

A Fall Protection System for High-Rise Construction

In construction industry, the number of fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries is higher than other industries. Among causes of these accidents, “falls” play a key role. This situation reveals the importance for carrying out research in fall protection systems. In this paper, a practical, economical, and functional fall protection system is introduced. Following determination and evaluation of existing solutions, weekly brainstorming meetings were held among the responsible project staff (general coordinator, project coordinator, project manager, site manager, and health and safety manager). As a result of these meetings, design criteria were developed. Based on these criteria, the fall protection system for high-rise construction (FPSFHC) was developed which satisfied all the specified design criteria. Required materials were procured from local dealers. In this paper, criteria used in design and details of the final design are presented. Field performance of the system is evaluated, and recommendations for further development and standardization of the system are added.

Interventions to prevent injuries in construction workers

Construction workers are frequently exposed to various types of injury-inducing hazards. A number of injury prevention interventions have been proposed, yet their effectiveness is uncertain. To assess the effects of interventions to prevent injuries in construction workers. We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group's specialised register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, OSH-ROM (including NIOSHTIC and HSELINE), Scopus, Web of Science and EI Compendex to September 2011. The searches were not restricted by language or publication status. The reference lists of relevant papers and reviews were also searched. Randomised controlled trials, controlled before-after (CBA) studies and interrupted time series (ITS) of all types of interventions for preventing fatal and non-fatal injuries among workers at construction sites. Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. For ITS, we re-analysed the studies and used an initial effect, measured as the change in injury-rate in the year after the intervention, as well as a sustained effect, measured as the change in time trend before and after the intervention. Thirteen studies, 12 ITS and one CBA study met the inclusion criteria. The ITS evaluated the effects of the introduction or change of regulations (N = 7), a safety campaign (N = 2), a drug-free workplace programme (N = 1), a training programme (N = 1), and safety inspections (N = 1) on fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries. One CBA study evaluated the introduction of occupational health services such as risk assessment and health surveillance.The overall risk of bias among the included studies was high as it was uncertain for the ITS studies whether the intervention was independent from other changes and thus could be regarded as the main reason of change in the outcome.The regulatory interventions at national or branch level showed a small but significant initial and sustained increase in fatal (effect sizes of 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 1.58) and non-fatal injuries (effect size 0.23; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.43).The safety campaign intervention resulted in a decrease in injuries at the company level but an increase at the regional level. Training interventions, inspections or the introduction of occupational health services did not result in a significant reduction of non-fatal injuries in single studies.A multifaceted drug-free workplace programme at the company level reduced non-fatal injuries in the year following implementation by -7.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI -11.2 to -4.0) and in the years thereafter by -2.0 per 100 person-years per year (95% CI -3.5 to -0.5). The vast majority of technical, human and organisational interventions that are recommended by standard texts of safety, consultants and safety courses have not been adequately evaluated. There is no evidence that introducing regulations for reducing fatal and non-fatal injuries are effective as such. There is neither evidence that regionally oriented safety campaigns, training, inspections nor the introduction of occupational health services are effective at reducing non-fatal injuries in construction companies. There is low-quality evidence that company-oriented safety interventions such as a multifaceted safety campaign and a multifaceted drug workplace programme can reduce non-fatal injuries among construction workers. Additional strategies are needed to increase the compliance of employers and workers to the safety measures that are prescribed by regulation. Continuing company-oriented interventions among management and construction workers, such as a targeted safety campaign or a drug-free workplace programme, seem to have an effect in reducing injuries in the longer term.

Acute occupational injury among adolescent farmworkers from South Texas

PurposeThis combined cross-sectional/cohort study addressed research gaps by estimating the rate of non-fatal occupational injury and identifying potential determinants among a population of adolescent farmworkers who are largely Hispanic and...

Evolución temporal de lesiones por accidentes de trabajo en población afiliada a MC Mutual, 2005-2009

In recent years, occupational injury rates are declining significantly. This study analyzes temporal trends of nonfatal occupational injuries among employees affiliated with MC Mutual in the period 2005-2009, by sex, age, activity of the company and duration of sick leave. Time series. We calculated the annual incidence rate adjusted by sex, age and activity of the company through direct standardization, as well as changes in annual and overall rates, together with stratified analysis by duration of sick leave. The standardized incidence of occupational injuries decreased from 74.8 per 1000 workers-year in 2005 to 48.3 in 2009 (a 35.4% reduction). The highest standardized incidence and rate of reduction was observed among sick leave processes lasting between 4 and 15 days, which decreased from 41.1 in 2005 to 25.2 in 2009 (a 38.6% reduction). Changes in trends were not consistent when considering the duration of the sick leave. There was a significant reduction in nonfatal occupational injuries resulting in sick leave during the study period, after considering age and sex of workers and the economic activity of affiliated companies, mainly at the expense of sick leave processes of short duration.

Incidence and costs of family member hospitalization following injuries of workers' compensation claimants

The consequences of occupational injuries for the health of family members have rarely been studied. We hypothesized that non-fatal occupational injury would increase the incidence and costs of hospitalization among workers' families, and that family members of severely injured workers would be likely to experience greater increases in hospitalizations than family members of non-severely injured workers. We used the MarketScan databases from Thomson Reuters for 2002-2005, which include workers' compensation and inpatient medical care claims data for injured workers' families. We used a before-after analysis to compare the odds and costs of family hospitalization 3 months before and after the index occupational injury among 18,411 families. Severe injuries were defined by receipt of indemnity payments and at least 7 days of lost work. Family hospitalizations were measured by the incidence of hospitalization of at least one family member. Among families of all injured workers, the odds of at least one family member being hospitalized were 31% higher [95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.11-1.55] in the 3 months following occupational injury than in the 3 months preceding injury. Among the families of severely injured workers, the odds of hospitalization were 56% higher [95% CI = 1.05-2.34] in the 3 months following injury. Hospitalization costs were found to rise by approximately the same percentage as hospitalization incidence. The impact of occupational injury may extend beyond the workplace and adversely affect the health and inpatient medical care use of family members.

Medical expenditures associated with nonfatal occupational injuries among immigrant and U.S.-born workers

BackgroundNo national study has investigated whether immigrant workers are less likely than U.S.-workers to seek medical treatment after occupational injuries and whether the payment source differs between two groups.MethodsUsing the 2004–2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, we estimated the annual incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries per 100 workers. Logistic regression models were fitted to test whether injured immigrant workers were less likely than U.S.-born workers to seek professional medical treatment after occupational injuries. We also estimated the average mean medical expenditures per injured worker during the 2 year MEPS reference period using linear regression analysis, adjusting for gender, age, race, marital status, education, poverty level, and insurance. Types of service and sources of payment were compared between U.S.-born and immigrant workers.ResultsA total of 1,909 injured U.S.-born workers reported 2,176 occupational injury events and 508 injured immigrant workers reported 560 occupational injury events. The annual nonfatal incidence rate per 100 workers was 4.0% (95% CI: 3.8%-4.3%) for U.S.-born workers and 3.0% (95% CI: 2.6%-3.3%) for immigrant workers. Medical treatment was sought after 77.3% (95% CI: 75.1%-79.4%) of the occupational injuries suffered by U.S.-born workers and 75.6% (95% CI: 69.8%-80.7%) of the occupational injuries suffered by immigrant workers. The average medical expenditure per injured worker in the 2 year MEPS reference period was $2357 for the U.S.-born workers and $2,351 for immigrant workers (in 2009 U.S. dollars, P = 0.99). Workers’ compensation paid 57.0% (95% CI: 49.4%-63.6%) of the total expenditures for U.S.-born workers and 43.2% (95% CI: 33.0%-53.7%) for immigrant workers. U.S.-born workers paid 6.7% (95% CI: 5.5%-8.3%) and immigrant workers paid 7.1% (95% CI: 5.2%-9.6%) out-of-pocket.ConclusionsImmigrant workers had a statistically significant lower incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries than U.S.-born workers. There was no significant difference in seeking medical treatment and in the mean expenditures per injured worker between the two groups. The proportion of total expenditures paid by workers’ compensation was smaller (marginally significant) for immigrant workers than for U.S.-born workers.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of occupational injury prevention programs at the company level

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational injury prevention program, known as the Preferential Action Plan (PAP), focused on companies with high incidence rates of occupational injuries. We studied 1189 companies in the industrial, construction and services sectors between 1999 and 2007 in the Valencia region (Spain). Our sample included 507,262 workers, among whom 44,250 non-fatal occupational injuries with at least a workday lost were registered. Companies included in a PAP program were divided into three intervention groups, according to the year that each company entered into a PAP (2000, 2001, and 2002). We calculated annual percentage change in incidence rates of occupational injuries for companies with a PAP and for those without a PAP (comparison group), and trends in the incidence rates of occupational injuries were compared between each intervention group and the comparison group. The results showed that the trend in the occupational injury rate declined 12%, 14% and 11% annually for the 2000, 2001, and 2002 intervention groups respectively, and around 5% for the comparison group. The differences in intervention and comparison group trends were found to be statistically significant. This pattern is observed by company size and activity sector, length of sick leave, and type of injury. According to these results, the use of PAPs in companies with high incidence rates of occupational injuries seems to be effective in the prevention of occupational injuries.

Occupational Injuries among U.S. Correctional Officers, 1999-2008

ObjectiveThis study describes fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries among U.S. correctional officers. MethodsFatal injuries were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries; nonfatal injuries were identified from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System- Occupational Supplement. ResultsFrom 1999–2008, there were 113 fatalities and an estimated 125,200 (CI=±70,100) nonfatal injuries were treated in emergency departments. Assaults and violent acts (n=45, 40%) and transportation related fatalities (n=45, 40%) were the two primary fatal injury events. Assaults and violent acts (n=47,500 (CI=±24,500), 38%) and bodily reaction and exertion (n=25,400 (CI=±16,800), 20%) were the leading events resulting in nonfatal injuries. ConclusionsWhile workplace violence is the primary cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among correctional officers, transportation events and bodily reactions are also leading causes of occupational injury. Future research is needed to identify risk factors unique to these events and develop appropriate prevention and intervention efforts. Impact on IndustryThis study adds to the literature on occupational injuries among correctional officers and provides a national level description of fatal and nonfatal injuries across a 10-year period. Given that assaults and violent acts, transportation events, and bodily reaction and exertion were significant injury events, future research should describe detailed injury circumstances and risk factors for correctional officers unique to these events. This would allow appropriate prevention and control efforts to be developed to reduce injuries from these events.

Paid Sick Leave and Nonfatal Occupational Injuries

We examined the association between US workers' access to paid sick leave and the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries from the employer's perspective. We also examined this association in different industries and occupations. We developed a theoretical framework to examine the business value of offering paid sick leave. Data from the National Health Interview Survey were used to test the hypothesis that offering paid sick leave is associated with a reduced incidence of occupational injuries. We used data on approximately 38 000 working adults to estimate a multivariate model. With all other variables held constant, workers with access to paid sick leave were 28% (95% confidence interval = 0.52, 0.99) less likely than workers without access to paid sick leave to be injured. The association between the availability of paid sick leave and the incidence of occupational injuries varied across sectors and occupations, with the greatest differences occurring in high-risk sectors and occupations. Our findings suggest that, similar to other investments in worker safety and health, introducing or expanding paid sick leave programs might help businesses reduce the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries, particularly in high-risk sectors and occupations.

A Comparison of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Among Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic Workers in the United States

This article investigates the trends and changes in patterns of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among Hispanic workers versus non-Hispanic minority workers in the United States between 1992 and 2009. Injuries and illnesses are also examined by the severity of cases and across industry sectors. The differences in the mean share of nonfatal injury and illness cases found between Hispanic and non-Hispanic minority workers in the top three industries are tested to determine if they are statistically different. The hypothesis that Hispanic workers experience a relatively higher incidence of injuries and illnesses because of the growing share of Hispanics in the U.S. labor force and relatively lower educational attainment level is established through a vector autoregressive (VAR) framework. These findings suggest greater need for safety efforts with Hispanic workers in industries demonstrating high rates of injuries and illnesses, such as education and training that addresses safety behavior, work conditions, and language and cultural barriers.

Occupational injury and work organization among immigrant Latino residential construction workers

Rates of occupational injury among immigrant workers are widely believed to be underestimated. The goal of this study was to enhance understanding of the burden of occupational injury and the work organization factors underlying injury among immigrant Latino residential construction workers. Prospective data were obtained from a community-based sample of Latino residential construction workers (N = 107) over a 3-month period. Twenty-eight participants were injured, resulting in an injury incidence rate of 55.0/100 FTE (95% CI = 41.4-71.6) during the 3-month observation period. The injury rate involving days away from work during the observation period was 3.9/100 FTE (CI = 0.2-7.2). Injuries were elevated among roofers relative to framers and general construction workers. Roofers had elevated exposure to a variety of deleterious work organization factors. Although imprecise given the small sample, our results suggest a threefold to fourfold underestimate of the injury burden to immigrant Latino construction workers. Work organization may contribute to elevated rates of non-fatal occupational injury, particularly among roofers.

NON-FATAL WORK-RELATED INJURIES IN ABO KORKAS SUGAR FACTORY, EL-MINIA, EGYPT;TEN-YEAR SURVEILLANCE FROM 2002 TO 2011

Background: Injuries kill and maim the people, often destroy families, devastate communities and do irreparable harm to society. We are concerned with work-related injuries that are mostly unintentional. Many of the injured workers suffer lifelong disabilities, physical disfigurement and financial ruin. Aim of the study: This study has two main objectives; firstly, surveillance of the non-fatal work-related injuries and secondly, studying the effect of preventive intervention on the occurrence of such injuries. Materials & Methods: Information regarding occupational injuries at Abo Korkas sugar factory was collected during a period of ten years, 2002 ~ 2011 to get aclear image about the magnitude of the problem of non-fatal work-related injuries in this sugar factory. We collected these data through the medical section of Abo Korkas sugar factory in collaboration with the industrial safety department of the factory. The study included two phases; an appraisal phase of only surveillance during the period 2002~2006 that was followed by an intervention phase 2007~2011 during which we continued surveillance, in addition to interventional preventive program tailoredaccording to data analysis of the appraisal phase. Results: Our results showed that workers in sugar industry are engaged with jobs that expose them to different non-fatal work-related injuries. Hands and feet were the most common body parts to get injured; with the falling objects and workers’ falling comprised the frequently reported causes.The incidence rate of the non-fatal occupational injuries declined significantly, from 5.3% on 2002 to 2.3% on 2011, with significant reduction of the injuries-related annual rate of lost work-days from 0.18% on 2002 to 0.09% on 2011. Conclusions: We conclude that occupational injuries must be considered by the society and policy makers, since much of the occurrence and severity of the injuries can be prevented with the existing technology and with little efforts for workers’ safety, organization, education and training. We recommend that a national surveillance system for work-related injuries should be established. Studies that evaluate the available strategies for prevention or reduction of the incidence and severity of injuries in different industries should be implemented.

Work Related Injuries in an Oil field in Oman

The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of occupational injuries in the Harweel oil field, Oman. The study is based on data gathered from a computerized database maintained by Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO). All non-fatal work-related occupational injuries registered between April 2007 and December 2009 were gathered and analyzed. A total of 170 work-related injuries were reported during the study period. Foreign body to the eye was the most common type of injury (27.6%) encountered among all injuries, followed by man falls/slips (11.8%). Injury to the upper extremities accounted for the largest percentage (38.8%) among other body parts. While, a significant portion of the injuries (52%) affected workers aged less than 30 years. The average injury rate per 1000 exposed workers per year was 19.8. The study outlines the types of injuries most commonly encountered in the oil field in Oman. Additional data is required in order to devise proper epidemiological analysis. Establishing a comprehensive surveillance system for injuries is essential to ascertain factors influencing such injuries.

Parents: An Under-Realized Resource for Protecting Working Adolescents

By the time they are seniors in high school, only 20% of high school students report never having a paid job [1]. Work provides teenagers with job skills and experiences to help them transition into adulthood; however, the work environment also has numerous injury and illness hazards [2]. Adolescents and young adults (age: 15–24 years) have approximately twice the rate of nonfatal occupational injuries as older workers [3]. The United States has set a goal of reducing the occupational injury incidence rate among adolescents aged 15–19 years by 10% by 2020, from the 2007 rate of 4.9 injuries per 100 full-time equivalent workers [4].

Workplace Health Protection and Promotion

Traditionally, health protection and health promotion activities have operated independently of each other in the workplace. Health protection has usually been viewed as encompassing the activities that protect workers from occupational injury and illness ranging from basic safety training to the us

Managing occupational injuries records in Slovenia from 1948 to 2008

The aim of this study is to examine and compare all publicly accessible data on occupational injuries in Slovenia in the period from 1948 to 2008, obtained either from archives or websites. The data obtained from five different sources which have been formally collecting and presenting data on occupational injuries in Slovenia (Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia – LIRS, Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia – IPHRS, International Labour Organization – ILO, Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia – SORS, and issues of the Journal of Occupational Safety and Fire Safety) were reviewed and managed. Since the early 1960s, there has been a significant decrease of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries in Slovenia. Problems related to gathering and interpreting data on occupational injuries are also discussed with special emphasize on diversity of models used for occupational injuries data collecting. The results of the 60-year-long retrospective study can also be of assistance for professionals involved in planning, implementing and controlling the national policy and/or regional policies on safety and health at work.

Non-fatal Occupational Injuries among Non-governmental Employees in Malaysia

Non-fatal Occupational Injuries among Non-governmental Employees in Malaysia

Non-fatal occupational injuries among non-governmental employees in Malaysia.

We analyzed data on non-fatal occupational injuries reported to Malaysia's social security organization from 2002 to 2006. There was a decrease in both the absolute number and the incidence rates of these injuries over time. About 40% of cases occurred in the manufacturing sector followed by the service (17%) and trading (17%) sectors. The agriculture sector reported the highest incidence rate (24.1/1,000), followed by the manufacturing sector subcategories of wood-product manufacturing (22.1/1,000) and non-metallic industries (20.8/1,000). Men age 40 to 59 and persons of Indian ethnicity had a greater tendency to sustain injuries. Government and non-governmental organizations should strive to develop strategies to reduce the occupational injuries targeting vulnerable groups. Enforcement of safety measures will further play an important role to ensure that both employees and employers take special precautions to address workplace hazards.