Occupational Injury Rates Research Articles

Impact of extreme bushfire seasons on rates of occupational injury and disease compensation claims in first responders.

This study aimed to use workers' compensation (WC) data to explore the impact of the extreme bushfires on injury/disease claim rates amongst first responders (FR) compared with other occupations and off-seasons. Data on WC claims for FR (ambulance officers, paramedics, firefighters, police) and other occupations were obtained from WorkSafe Victoria 2005-2022. Negative binomial regression models adjusting for age, gender and number of employed people were used to estimate incident rate ratios of all injury/disease, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory claims among FR in summer and extreme bushfires compared to off-season/summer and other occupations. There were 120,022 claims in 2005-2022; 54% were musculoskeletal injuries. Claims rates were significantly higher for all injuries/diseases, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions in FR than other occupations across off-season, summers and extreme bushfires. FR were 1.5-3.9 times more likely to claim for mental health conditions during extreme bushfires than off-season compared with other occupations. Firefighters were at increased risk of all injury/disease and mental and musculoskeletal injury claims during summer and extreme bushfires than off-seasons. Ambulance officers and paramedics had the highest claim rates, particularly in off-seasons, with a higher risk of all injury/disease and mental claims in extreme bushfires than in summers. Respiratory and mental claims were increased amongst police and other occupations during extreme bushfires. Extreme bushfire events were associated with increased mental claims rates in all FR, with the highest in firefighters. Strategies to better prevent and manage injury/disease risk in FR are urgently required, particularly for mental health conditions.

Relationship between anemia and occupational fall injuries in female part-time employees: an observational study of large supermarket stores in Japan.

Occupational fall injuries have recently increased markedly in Japan, together with an increase in later-middle-aged females in the labor market. However, the association between anemia, which is prevalent among Japanese females, and falls is unclear. Here, we investigated the association between anemia and occupational fall injuries. Participants were 6,780 part-time female employees aged 35-64 working in Japanese supermarket stores of a retail company who had at least one health checkup each year between 2017 and 2022. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) <12.0 g/dL (Mild: 11.0-11.9 g/dL, Moderate-severe: Hb<11.0g/dL). Fall injuries were defined as slips, trips and falls on the same level, requiring medical attention based on the occupational injury data by the company. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for falls were estimated using multilevel Poisson regression, adjusting age and body mass index (BMI). The annual rate of occupational fall injuries was 0.7%. The adjusted IRR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for occupational fall injuries among participants with anemia was 1.71 (1.12-2.60). When dividing anemia into two groups, IRR (95%CI) was 1.46 (0.84-2.53) for Mild anemia and 2.13 (1.18-3.84) for Moderate-severe anemia (p for trend=0.007). In this observational study of employees of large Japanese supermarket stores, anemia was significantly associated with a higher incidence of occupational falls. Our findings suggest the importance of anemia in the prevention of occupational falls.

Are migrant workers at greater risk of workplace deaths? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Globally, 170 million individuals migrate for work. Yet, evidence on their mortality risk remains unclear. Our aim was to synthesize global evidence on migrant worker mortality risk compared to local workers and to identify the multiple intersecting social determinants of mortality. Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature which reported on mortality outcome of migrant workers. Studies published between 1 Jan 2000 to 17 Jan 2023 in English were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Ovid Global Health. Meta-analysis using random effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates and narrative synthesis was used to develop a data-driven framework on intersectional social determinants. Results Out of 11,495 identified records, 44 were included, of which 11 were pooled in meta-analyses. The combined migrant worker death count was 44,338, with data from 16 countries, including migrants from agriculture, construction, and service industries. Compared to local workers, migrant workers had a higher risk of fatal occupational injury (pooled RR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.22-2.38, I² = 99.4%), and a lower risk of all-cause mortality (pooled RR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.88-0.99, I² = 90.7%). Key social determinants associated with increased mortality risk were either migration-related (e.g. lower language proficiency, undocumented status) or labour-related (e.g. precarious employment, labour migration policies) interacting over migrant workers’ life course. Conclusions As the largest evidence synthesis to date, these findings indicate that migrant workers have higher fatal occupational injury rates than local workers, indicating the need for tailored protections for migrant workers. These data confirm that the all-cause mortality advantage observed in migrant populations applies to the working population. Future interventions should be designed to address both migration- and labour-related determinants of migrant worker health. Key messages • Migrant workers have a higher risk of workplace fatality despite being generally healthier than local workers, explained by structural determinants such as precarious employment. • Future interventions must address migration- and labour-related social determinants of health at structural levels, such as extending labour protection laws to migrant workers.

Health impact of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in Korean occupational settings

Abstract Background Interrupted time series analysis serves as a valuable study design for assessing the efficacy of public health interventions implemented at a specific moment in time at the population level. We aim to elucidate the effects of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act implemented in February 2021 in Korea by analyzing changes in the incidence rates of occupational diseases. Methods The monthly data from patients with occupational diseases was extracted from the National Health Insurance Service Cohort database from 2011 to 2023. An Interrupted time series analysis with Poisson segmented regression was used to compare the rates before and after the Serious Accidents Punishment Act introduction in both outpatients and inpatients. Adjustments or stratification variables included sex, age, company size, and injury-related international classification of diseases codes (Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes, S00-T88). Results Based on injury rates, men’s inpatient injury rates remained stable, but outpatient rates decreased after the act implementation, while women’s injury rates consistently declined in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The Interrupted time series regression analysis indicates that the Serious Accidents Punishment Act led to a significant reduction in both outpatient and inpatient injury rates for men and women, with a marked decline in outpatient rates and hospital admissions among women post-intervention. Conclusions The Interrupted time series regression results suggest that the Serious Accidents Punishment Act has been effective in reducing injury-related healthcare usage, highlighting the necessity of gender-specific interventions and the potential impact on lowering inpatient visits, although causality remains uncertain without further analysis. Key messages • The Serious Accidents Punishment Act significantly reduced occupational injury rates in Korea, especially among women, demonstrating effective public health intervention. • Interrupted time series analysis reveals Serious Accidents Punishment Act’s impact on reducing healthcare usage for occupational injuries, highlighting the need for gender-specific approaches.

PREDICTING RISK OF EMPLOYEE INJURY IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

PURPOSEHealthcare has one of the highest rates of non-fatal occupational injury as compared to other industries. Yet, evaluation of risk determinants and prediction algorithms in hospital settings remains limited. METHODSThis study examines risk factors for employee injuries in a large pediatric hospital and evaluates prediction algorithms using hospital surveillance data, incident reports, and work unit measures such as patient density and employee workload. We employed multiple statistical models and machine learning tools, including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), penalized logistic regression (PLR), Naïve Bayes, neural network (NN), XGBoost (XG), and mixed-effects logistic regression (GLMER) to predict employee injury risk for specific time periods. We used cross-validation and receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to assess model performance. RESULTSGLMER, LR, and PLR were superior to other models, with higher AUC values (∼0.76), indicating good discrimination ability, though accuracy and specificity varied across models. RF showed high accuracy and specificity and comparable AUC with the top performing models. Further analyses using GLMER revealed variability in employee injury risk across months, days, and hospital units, identifying peaks on Tuesdays and Saturdays and in April and July, with lows in March and June. CONCLUSIONOur findings highlight the significance of monitoring specific risk factors within pediatric hospital settings and pairing them with appropriate predictive algorithms to effectively predict and mitigate employee injuries. These insights indicate that continuous monitoring may help enhance employee safety. Future work should evaluate additional predictors that may be obtained from individual hospital units, which may inform targeted prevention strategies.

Fatal occupational injuries in fishing, farming and forestry 2010-2015.

Every year, 2.3 million people worldwide succumb to work-related accidents and illnesses. The primary industries have long been acknowledged with elevated accident risks. Recent levels and trends of injury and associated fatalities in these sectors are uncertain. An enhanced understanding of these risks in these industries is required for effective injury prevention in the future. This study aimed to describe registered fatalities in the primary industries worldwide, exploring potential disparities between countries and identifying trends in injury rates. Data were obtained on fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers in farming, fishing and forestry for the years 2010-2015 from the International Labour Organization ILO-STAT database. Descriptive statistics and mixed-model regression analyses were conducted. Fatal occupational injuries in upper- and middle-income countries were compared. The study incorporated data from 32 countries: 21 from Europe. America had the highest mean occupational fatality injury rate (76.9). The highest recorded rates for individual countries occurred in Colombia in 2014 (265.2) and Lithuania in 2015 (75.0), and the lowest in Greece in 2012 (0.2). Significant variation in injury rates was evident among the countries. There was no trend in the incidence of fatal injuries from 2010 to 2015, neither for all countries, nor Europe. Middle-income countries had higher occupational fatality injury rate than upper-income countries. The occupational fatality injury rate exhibited considerable variation, ranging from 0.9 to 265.2, and the injury rate was lowest in upper-income countries. There was no trend in the figures 2010-2015.

Pre-task planning for construction worker safety and health: Implementation and assessment.

Compared to other industry sectors, construction workers experience a disproportionately high rate of occupational injuries and fatalities. As research findings suggest, most of these incidents could be prevented if hazards were proactively recognized and properly addressed. In the construction industry, pre-task planning (PTP) is a preventive process intended to describe each step of work, identify associated safety and health hazards, and recommend controls to eliminate or mitigate the hazards before work begins. Despite its importance, the construction industry lacks comprehensive guidelines to design and implement PTP in a consistent and effective manner. To fill this gap, this study pursued two objectives: (1) identify shortcomings in current PTP practices and explore recommended solutions from practitioners' perspectives and (2) translate research findings into an applied tool to help practitioners assess and improve the quality of their PTP process. To fill the gap, 28 construction safety and health professionals and 104 workers were interviewed, and seven onsite PTP sessions were directly observed. Shortcomings of current PTP practices as well as recommended solutions were categorized as (1) planning and implementation, (2) all-trades coordination, (3) engagement and buy-in, (4) training and logistics, (5) workforce diversity and the language barrier, and (6) PTP content accessibility. An effective PTP process should be based on workers' direct involvement and input on task requirements and hazards. It needs to be regularly updated to reflect the changing work conditions. In addition to task-related information, to increase workers' awareness, PTP should paint a holistic view of the project and other trades' scopes.

Nurse View on Improving Occupational Safety and Health in the Hospital Environment

Objective: This study aimed to identify the specific risks experienced by nurses, the safety measures in place and how they perceived its effectiveness at preventing falls from taking place which helped to identify areas for improvement when enhancing healthcare workers welfare. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographics, specific sector employment types, safety practices and occupational risks. Trends were explored using percent distributions, means and chi-squared tests for independence where appropriate.Findings: The study found that OHS conditions in a University teaching hospital are noticeably different from a private hospital. Nurses in private sector hospitals had better working conditions also with the improved safety standards, comprehensive safety training and ergonomic design which was accredited by JCI. On the other side hospital nurses encountered poor safety leads, ergonomic deficiencies, and high rates of occupational diseases and injuries. University hospitals had more psychological stress, burnout, and job dissatisfaction than private hospitals; however, in terms of infection control they fared better compared to private hospitals who, although carrying out consistent monitoring programmes for PPE, were hindered with shift fatigue and stress.Novelty: This study offers a comparison of OHS conditions for nurses in private and public health care facilities and highlights the potential role of international accreditation for safer working environments. This has shone light on a long-neglected safety issue in academic hospitals.Research Implications: The study findings are expected to help policy amendments, labor protection policies for civil servants in university hospitals, NABH accreditation processes and monitoring of safety training and ergonomic improvements in both private sector hospital environments and public healthcare establishments.

Повышение надежности человеческого фактора как перспектива развития культуры безопасности в производственной деятельности энергетического комплекса ОАО «РЖД»

The criticality of improving the reliability of the human factor in the production safety culture of the JSC RZhD energy complex remains relevant. In order to resolve the issue, the analysis of various acceptable and applied psychological, managerial, and economic measures has been conducted. Measures to reduce the occupational injury rate and develop the occupational safety culture in JSC RZhD have been considered. Specific attention has been paid to the comprehensive approach that covers psychological, managerial, and economic measures. The rapid development of technologies and changing requirements in the sphere of occupational safety prioritize such aspects as professionalism, discipline, motivation for work, and compliance with instruction requirements. Specific methods, including visual information, organizational measures, improving working conditions, and training formats via improving training programs have been provided. Practical examples of the successful use of such measures in the production environment have been considered by using the example of the Power Supply Directorate of the Southeastern Railway where high-risk jobs remain specific. Various measures of encouragement and motivation for employees facilitate the significant improvement of working conditions and the reduction of injury rate. Additionally, the analysis of methods to raise employees’ awareness regarding the importance of compliance with safety rules through regular training and seminars as well as the implementation of a feedback system to ensure prompt identification and elimination of potential threats has been conducted. These measures demonstrate high efficiency and ensure further successful development of the company not only by facilitating the increase of occupational safety level and the reduction of injury rate indices but also by establishing a safety culture among employees, which ultimately affects the total production performance and reputation of JSC RZhD.

Comparative Analysis of Occupational Injuries Dynamics in Russia and the Republic of Crimea in 2017–2021

Introduction. One of the health-saving resources for the working population is the improvement of the occupational safety system and prevention of occupational injuries (OI). Systematic scientific research in this field remains relevant as it helps to understand the interrelationships between the causes and consequences of OI in different sectors of economic activity. In recent years, there has been a lack of research on the structure and dynamics of OI in the Republic of Crimea (RC), and its indicators have not been compared. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of Crimean and all-Russian dynamics of occupational injuries over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021 in order to identify trends and develop strategies for improving production safety.Materials and Methods. Methods of systematization of scientific literature on the issue of OI were employed. Statistical data on the state of OI in the Republic of Crimea and the Russian Federation were analyzed and compared. The results were graphically presented in the form of histograms. Additionally, the positions of the republic in the official ratings on compliance with labor legislation were taken into consideration.Results. The analysis of statistics has made it possible to compare the structure and dynamics of OI indicators in the Republic of Crimea with similar data on the national average. Regional differences in occupational injury rates have been identified. In 2017–2021, the number of fatal injuries per 1 000 workers increased in the country, and in Crimea the problem was more acute than in the average for Russia. According to the results for 2021, construction was the most hazardous type of activity in the Crimean region, while mining was the most dangerous one in the Russian Federation. The relative rates of occupational injuries (per 1 000 employees) in the region were lower than the national average. At the same time, the proportion of fatal injuries in Crimea was 1.5–2 times higher than the national average. The highest level of fatal injuries in Crimea was recorded in 2018–2019, likely due to increased construction activity. Injury rates were increasing, while the costs of occupational safety measures were also rising. At the same time, in 2021, the amount of funds allocated to labor protection in Crimea was approximately 1.7 times lower than the similar national average (per employee).Discussion and Conclusion. It is advisable to use data on occupational injuries in the Republic of Crimea to develop scientifically grounded recommendations for improving the regional occupational safety system. These results are partially influenced by the integration of Crimea and are presented in comparison with all-Russian indicators. Therefore, the findings of this scientific work can be applied more broadly when developing a strategy for labor protection in other regions of the Russian Federation.

Adding injury to insult: Unfair treatment at work and occupational injury among hospital patient-care workers.

Hospital patient-care workers have high occupational injury rates. While physical hazards within hospital work environments are established determinants of injury, social exposures may also contribute. This study examined how reports of unfair treatment at work, a dimension of work-related experiences of discrimination, were associated with injury among hospital-based patient-care workers. We used data from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of nurses and nursing assistants at two Boston-area hospitals. In 2018, we conducted a worker survey asking about three types of unfair treatment at work and occupational injuries during the past year. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to evaluate associations between specific types, total load, and high-frequency exposure of unfair treatment with injury, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, job title, and unit type. Among 1001 respondents, 21% reported being humiliated in front of others at work, 28% reported being watched more closely than other workers, and 47% reported having to work twice as hard as others for the same treatment. For each type of unfair treatment, we observed a monotonic relationship with occupational injury wherein increasing frequency of exposure was associated with increased odds of injury. We also observed monotonic relationships between total load and high-frequency exposure to unfair treatment and odds of injury. Work-related unfair treatment is associated with injury among hospital workers. Programs and policies that focus on preventing unfair treatment may lessen injury burden in hospital workers.

Анализ процедурных компонентов расследования несчастных случаев на производстве, влияющих на эффективность системы управления охраной труда

Operations in the mining and metallurgical industry are associated with many types of occupational hazards. Traditionally, companies in the mining and metallurgical industry focus on ensuring occupational safety. The reduction of occupational injuries and providing safe working conditions are the main values of enterprises in the mining and metallurgical industry of the Russian Federation. When searching for efficient tools to ensure occupational safety, it is crucial to consider the tendencies of changing workflow and technical progress. There are many tools to reduce the level of occupational injuries; however, the efficiency of the process of investigation of industrial accidents conditions the prevention of similar accidents in the future. Accidents occurred to employees and other persons involved in the employer's production activities by performing their job duties or any jobs by the request of an employer as well as other lawful actions caused by employment relationships with the employer or committed in his/her interests, are subject to investigation and registration. In order to improve the occupational safety management system at a company, the study has analyzed the occupational injury rate in the Russian Federation, identified the dominating causes of industrial accidents, and the components of the investigation procedure of accidents affecting the efficiency of the process. The objective of the qualitative investigation of industrial accidents is the identification of deficiencies in business processes that caused the accidents as well as the development of corrective measures to eliminate the causes of accidents and prevent the recurrence of accidents with similar causes in the future.

Forty years of struggle in North Carolina: Workplace segregation and fatal occupational injury rates.

To assess workplace segregation in fatal occupational injury from 1992 to 2017 in North Carolina. We calculated occupational fatal injury rates within categories of occupation, industry, race, age, and sex; and estimated expected numbers of fatalities among Black and Hispanic male workers had they experienced the rates of White male workers. We also estimated the contribution of workforce segregation to disparities by estimating the expected number of fatalities among Black and Hispanic male workers had they experienced the industry and occupation patterns of White male workers. We assessed person-years of life-lost, using North Carolina life expectancy estimates. Hispanic workers contributed 32% of their worker-years and experienced 58% of their fatalities in construction. Black workers were most overrepresented in the food manufacturing industry. Hispanic males experienced 2.11 (95% CI: 1.86-2.40) times the mortality rate of White males. The Black-White and Hispanic-White disparities were widest among workers aged 45 and older, and segregation into more dangerous industries and occupations played a substantial role in driving disparities. Hispanic workers who suffered occupational fatalities lost a median 47 life-years, compared to 37 among Black workers and 36 among White workers. If Hispanic and Black workers experienced the workplace safety of their White counterparts, fatal injury rates would be substantially reduced. Workforce segregation reflects structural racism, which also contributes to mortality disparities. Root causes must be addressed to eliminate disparities.

A METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING RISKS BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES

The article aims to analyse the causes of occupational injuries, identify risk factors for employees, and improve workplace safety and accident prevention standards. To achieve the stated aim, the authors applied a comprehensive approach, which included an in-depth study of recent injury trends, identification of the main causal factors, and a thorough examination of the risks affecting working conditions and leading to injuries. The research methodology included a variety of tools, such as a deep analysis of statistical data on injuries in the context of an industrial enterprise, a review of internal documentation, and an evaluation of risk factors. The study results provided a detailed picture of the changing trajectory of injuries among industrial workers, which is closely related to their length of service and experience at the enterprise. Based on this understanding, we derived a specific risk assessment formula that synthesised the relationship between injuries and length of service. In addition, a thorough analysis of the structure of injuries during different shifts revealed a pronounced tendency for accidents to occur in the evening and at night, partly due to the psychological and physiological stress experienced by employees during these periods and the impact of microclimatic working conditions. To enhance the effectiveness of the risk assessment methodology, we proposed to integrate a comfort factor coefficient that shows the microclimatic factors’ impact on occupational safety and injury rates. These efforts have resulted in an improved risk assessment formula that can provide a more accurate prognosis of injury incidents and help optimise occupational health and safety protocols for employees at industrial enterprises. In addition, using statistical data, the study determined the cause-effect relation between risks to industrial workers, shown through the visual representation of an Ishikawa diagram, thus providing a further perspective for risk assessment in the enterprise. Keywords: injuries, risks, injury analysis, mining and processing plant, industry.

Prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among workers of textile and garment factories during the era of COVID-19 pandemic in mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Occupational injury is any personal injury that can lead to disease, disability, or death due to accidents sustained by workers while performing their work. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among workers of textile and garment factories in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia during the era of COVID-19. A cross-ectional study was conducted among 348 Textile and Garment factories in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia on September and October 2020. Data were collected using a semi-structured face-to-face interview questionnaire by trained data collectors and supervisors. Occupational injury was assessed by a yes/no question "Have you had any injury related to your occupation in the last 12 months?."Epi Data version 3.1 was used to enter data and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the independent determinants of occupational injury, and variables with p < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The annual prevalence rate of occupational injury among textile and garment factories was 27.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.2-32.9%). Factors like being a male (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI = 1.92-6.92), job satisfaction (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.11-0.43), sleeping disorder (AOR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.91-6.32), job stress (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.44-4.73), and safety and health training (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.22-0.74) were significantly associated with the occurrence of occupational injury. Expectedly, lockdown during COVID-19 could lead to absenteeism and reduced prevalence of occupational injuries as the outcome of this study.

Occupational Injury and Factors Associated among Employees in Heineken Brewery Share Company, Harar Brewery Share Company, and Awash Wine Share Company, Ethiopia

Occupational injury is a serious global public health issue that causes morbidity, disability, and fatality at work. The food and beverage processing business has the most significant rate of occupational injuries, making it the most dangerous occupation among industrial industries. Various labor hazards have been reported to beverage workers. Against this background, the objective of the research was to assess the magnitude and predictors of occupational injury among employees in the beverage industry in Harar and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a beverage factory, with 675 respondents chosen randomly. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with key informants. The data was analyzed using Epi-Data statistical software and SPSS. Multiple logistic analysis, descriptive analysis, binary logistic, and crude logistic regression analysis were used. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The occupational injury rate is 20.9%, with fingers and hands being the most common type of trauma. Sleeping difficulties, contract employment status, and technical field work are associated with injuries. 28-34-year-olds are 55% less likely, and one year of experience is 85% less likely. Challenges include inconsistent safety measures and a lack of organizational commitment, especially for contract workers. The prevalence of occupational injuries among beverage industry employees was high. Technical departments, contract employment, and the prevalence of sleeping problems were revealed to be risk factors for occupational injuries. At the same time, one year of experience and the age range of 28–34 were found to be protective. Among the study participants, difficulties such as poor use of personal protective equipment and a lack of a consistent supply of personal protective equipment were noticed. As a result, firms must increase occupational safety measures, such as providing and replenishing personal protective equipment, focusing on contract employees.

The effect of power stretchers on occupational injury rates in an urban emergency medical services system.

To examine occupational injury rates in a dual-response emergency medical services(EMS) system before and after implementation of a power-lift stretcher system. The seasonally-adjusted occupational injury rate was estimated relative to medical call volume (per 1000 calls) and workers (per 100 FTEs) from 2009 to 2019, and stratified by severity (lost-time, healthcare only), role (EMS, FIRE) and type (patient-handling). Power-lift stretchers were adopted between 2013 and 2015. Preinjury versus postinjury rates were compared using binomial tests. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to estimate the trend and change in injuries related to patient-handling, with occupational illnesses serving as control. Binomial tests revealed varied results, with reductions in the injury rate per 1000 calls (-14.0%) and increases in the rate per 100 FTEs (+14.1%); rates also differed by EMS role and injury severity. ITS analysis demonstrated substantial reductions in patient-handling injuries following implementation of power-lift stretchers, both in the injury rate per 1000 calls (-50.4%) and per 100 FTEs (-46.6%), specifically among individuals deployed on the ambulance. Injury rates were slightly elevated during the winter months (+0.8 per 100 FTEs) and lower during spring (-0.5 per 100 FTEs). These results support the implementation of power-lift stretchers for injury prevention in EMS systems and demonstrate advantages of ITS analysis when data span long preintervention and postintervention periods.

The relationship between the rate on unemployment and occupational injuries: A case of Russia

This study aims to reveal how growth or decline in the rate of unemployment determines occupational injuries in Russia. Based on the regional statistics from 2009 to 2021 with the help of linear panel models we estimate the relationship between the rate of unemployment and fatal or non-fatal occupational injuries rates. The results show that when the economy is decreasing employees or employers prefer to underreport workplace accidents. This effect is especially strong in conditions of rising unemployment due to the release of workers, layoffs or liquidation of enterprises. At the same time, the fluctuations of unemployment do not change the fatal accidents; that is, injuries per se do not have a cyclical behavior. Thus, though there is a decreasing trend in the rate of occupational injuries in Russia, there is a problem of underreporting of accidents as we observe in high-income economies.

Prevalence of occupational injury and its associated factors among emergency department physicians in China: A large sample, cross-sectional study

BackgroundMedical personnel, particularly emergency department (ED) physicians, face a variety of occupational hazards. However, the current state of occupational injuries among ED physicians remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the occupational injury of Chinese ED physicians and to identify its associated factors. MethodsFrom July to August 2018, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chinese emergency departments. A structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, individual health behaviours, and work-related characteristics was completed by 10,457 ED physicians. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the factors associated with occupational injuries. ResultsIn this study, 81.13% of ED physicians reported occupational injuries in the previous 12 months. All participants who had experienced occupational injuries had suffered verbal violence. Among physicians who experienced at least one injury, 76.57% and 71.30% reported injuries sustained while moving patients and from falls, slips, and sprains during office visits, respectively. Occupational injuries were significantly associated with gender, education level, drinking behaviour, sleep quality, the frequency of night shifts per month, self-perceived physician shortage, and work-family conflict. Physicians who experienced effort–reward imbalance were at a higher risk of occupational injury. ConclusionIn China, occupational injuries are common among ED physicians. Individual factors as well as work-related factors are independently linked to occupational injuries. To reduce the rate of occupational injuries among ED physicians, health policymakers and healthcare facility managers should consider multi-injury interventions.

Practitioner Safety and the Application of Learning Theory related to injury risk in Equine Physiotherapy: a Worldwide Survey

In the equine physiotherapy profession, similarly to the equine veterinary profession, there may be a high risk of occupational injury and preventive strategies, such as the application of learning theory (LT), may mitigate workplace injury frequency. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of occupational injury among equine physiotherapists and investigate the relationship between injury rate and knowledge of LT. An online survey was distributed, receiving 64 valid responses: of these, 51 were qualified veterinary physiotherapists working with equines and their data were taken forward for analysis. The mean injury frequency was 0.59±1 per year, with 36 respondents reporting at least one injury during their career. There was a moderate negative correlation (r=-0.34, 95%CI[-0.56,-0.07], p<0.05) between career length (in years) and injury frequency. The most common site of injury for practitioners was the lower limb (n=22) and the most common type of injury was bruising (n=32). Of the respondents who claimed the work activity they were performing significantly contributed to their most severe injury, six were carrying out equine hindlimb treatment at the time of injury. Knowledge of LT was poor: only 21 of respondents scored 3/9 or higher when tested on practical application of LT and 24 achieved a grade of 6/10 or higher on theoretical knowledge, with one respondent achieving 0/10. There was a moderate positive correlation (r=0.37, 95%CI[0.10,0.58], p<0.01) between veterinary physiotherapists’ theoretical knowledge scores and their self-evaluation of LT terminology scores. There was no significant correlation between scenario-based and theoretical LT scores and injury frequency. However, there was a weak negative correlation (r=-0.31, 95%CI[-0.54,-0.04], p<0.05) between self-evaluation of LT terminology scores and injury frequency. Due to the small number of responses, results from the present study are not representative of the target population. However, results nonetheless highlight a trend of high injury rates and low levels of understanding of equine learning. This is comparable to other equine-related professions, indicating the urgent need of research into better prevention and safety-enhancing strategies, which could reduce the rates of occupational injury and safeguard the welfare of both practitioners and equines.