RESUMO
PROBLEM: National occupational injury prevention goals often prioritize the reduction of serious injuries. This study analyzed whether this prioritization is credible in respect to lost-time injuries and short and long term work absence, and the implications this has for injury severity-based versus injury absence-based prevention approaches. METHOD: The data consisted of national and work-site specific injury and absence data from construction workers in Denmark, including workers from the Copenhagen Metro construction sites, during the period 2000-2001. RESULTS AND IMPACT ON INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT: Absence length was significantly dependent on the type of injury. Sprains and strains were most prevalent and accounted for approximately one third of injuries and absence. Fractures accounted for one sixth of injuries and the greatest proportion of long-term absence. The results give credibility to the need for targeting sprains and strains in injury and absence prevention initiatives.
Assuntos
Absenteísmo , Acidentes de Trabalho/prevenção & controle , Indústrias/estatística & dados numéricos , Licença Médica , Ferimentos e Lesões/prevenção & controle , Acidentes de Trabalho/classificação , Acidentes de Trabalho/economia , Adulto , Materiais de Construção , Dinamarca/epidemiologia , Arquitetura de Instituições de Saúde , Humanos , Incidência , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Método de Monte Carlo , Índices de Gravidade do Trauma , Ferimentos e Lesões/classificação , Ferimentos e Lesões/economiaRESUMO
Although many occupational safety programs are targeted toward large firms, the construction industry is dominated by smaller firms. This study examines the differential effect of firm size on the risk and the reporting of over 3000 serious and minor nonfatal elevation fall injuries in Danish construction industry trades (1993 to 1999). Small firms (<20 employees) accounted for 93% of all firms and 55% of worker-years. There was an inverse relationship between firm size and serious injury rates and a direct relationship between firm size and minor injury rates. An inverse relationship between firm size and injury severity odds ratios (serious versus minor) was found for carpentry, electrical work, general contracting, and the remaining other trades. Health and safety issues, legislation, and enforcement in the construction industry should, to a greater degree, be focused on smaller firms.