RESUMO
Work-related psychosocial hazards are on the verge of surpassing many other occupational hazards in their contribution to ill-health, injury, disability, direct and indirect costs, and impact on business and national productivity. The risks associated with exposure to psychosocial hazards at work are compounded by the increasing background prevalence of mental health disorders in the working-age population. The extensive and cumulative impacts of these exposures represent an alarming public health problem that merits immediate, increased attention. In this paper, we review the linkage between work-related psychosocial hazards and adverse effects, their economic burden, and interventions to prevent and control these hazards. We identify six crucial societal actions: (1) increase awareness of this critical issue through a comprehensive public campaign; (2) increase etiologic, intervention, and implementation research; (3) initiate or augment surveillance efforts; (4) increase translation of research findings into guidance for employers and workers; (5) increase the number and diversity of professionals skilled in preventing and addressing psychosocial hazards; and (6) develop a national regulatory or consensus standard to prevent and control work-related psychosocial hazards.
Assuntos
Saúde Ocupacional , Humanos , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ocupacional/prevenção & controle , Estresse Ocupacional/psicologia , Doenças Profissionais/prevenção & controle , Doenças Profissionais/psicologia , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Local de Trabalho/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/prevenção & controle , Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Occupational injuries are common among law enforcement officers (LEOs) and can impact an agency's ability to serve communities. Workers' compensation (WC) data are an underutilized source for occupational injury surveillance in the law enforcement field. METHODS: LEOs WC claims from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (OHBWC) from 2001 to 2019 were identified based on manual review of the occupation title and injury description. Worker, employer, incident, and injury characteristics were described by claim type-medical-only (MO) and lost-time (8 or more days away from work). Data are presented using injury claim counts. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2019, 50,793 WC claims were identified among Ohio LEOs. Of these, 68% were MO claims (n = 34,622). WC claims significantly decreased over the 19-year period (p < 0.001). Seventy-five percent of WC claims were from a LEO with more than one claim and of these, 34% were from a LEO with five or more claims during the study period. Male officers and those aged 25-54 years incurred the highest proportion of total claims (87.8% & 91.8%, respectively). Violence (n = 17,247; 34%), falls/slips/trips (n = 9079; 17.9%), and transportation events (n = 7977; 15.7%) were the leading events. Among the 50,793 claims, there were 79,637 unique clinical diagnosis groups. The most common injury diagnoses were sprains (n = 32,796; 41.2%) followed by contusions (n = 13,529; 17%). CONCLUSIONS: Results can guide the development or improvement of workplace injury prevention strategies for LEOs. Efforts should be focused on better understanding and preventing violent injury events and sprains among LEOs, as well as preventing multiple injury events.
Assuntos
Traumatismos Ocupacionais , Entorses e Distensões , Humanos , Masculino , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Polícia , Ohio/epidemiologia , Indenização aos TrabalhadoresRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This prospective study assessed the risk of developing rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) with separate or specific combinations of biomechanical exposures measures, controlling for individual confounders. BACKGROUND: Compared with other musculoskeletal disorders, rates of work-related shoulder musculoskeletal disorders have been declining more slowly. METHOD: We conducted up to 2 years of individual, annual assessments of covariates, exposures, and health outcomes for 393 U.S. manufacturing and healthcare workers without RCS at baseline. Task-level biomechanical exposures assessed exposure to forceful exertions (level, exertion rates, duty cycles), vibration, and upper arm postures (flexion, abduction). Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated with Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: We observed 39 incident RCS cases in 694 person-years (incidence rate = 5.62 per 100 person-years). Adjusting for confounders, we found increased risk of incident RCS associated with forceful hand exertions per minute for three upper arm posture tertiles: flexion ≥45° (≥28.2% time, HR = 1.11, CI [1.01, 1.22]), abduction ≥30° (11.9-21.2%-time, HR = 1.18, CI [1.04, 1.34]), and abduction >60° (≥4.8% time, HR = 1.16, CI [1.04, 1.29]). We failed to observe statistically significant effects for other interactions or any separate measures of biomechanical exposure. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of assessing combinations of exposure to forceful repetition and upper arm elevation when developing interventions for preventing RCS. APPLICATION: Based on these results, interventions that reduce exposure to forceful repetition (i.e., lower force levels and/or slower exertion rates) may reduce the risk of RCS, especially when upper arm elevation cannot be avoided.
Assuntos
Doenças Musculoesqueléticas , Doenças Profissionais , Humanos , Manguito Rotador , Estudos Prospectivos , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Fatores de Risco , Pessoal de SaúdeRESUMO
Overexertion is a leading cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers. Nearly 90% of construction jobs require manual handling of materials for approximately one half of the worker's time (1). In 2015, overexertion from lifting and lowering materials caused 30% of WMSDs among construction workers; overexertion involving pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, and catching materials caused an additional 37% of WMSDs (1). This study examined the rate and cost of WMSD claims from overexertion among Ohio construction workers during 2007-2017. Workers' compensation claims related to overexertion that were submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation (OHBWC) by workers in the construction industry for injuries and illnesses occurring during 2007-2017 were analyzed. Rates and costs of allowed claims were measured by age group. Workers aged 35-44 years experienced the highest claim rate: 63 per 10,000 full-time employees (FTEs) for WMSDs from overexertion. However, claims by workers aged 45-54 years and 55-64 years were more costly on average and resulted in more days away from work. Ergonomic design improvements and interventions are needed to ensure that the majority of construction workers can safely perform jobs throughout their careers. Age-specific WMSD prevention and risk communication efforts also might be helpful.
Assuntos
Indústria da Construção , Doenças Musculoesqueléticas/economia , Doenças Profissionais/economia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/economia , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Custos e Análise de Custo , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Musculoesqueléticas/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Ohio/epidemiologia , Esforço Físico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The landscaping services industry is one of the more dangerous in the United States, with higher rates of both fatal and nonfatal injuries than the all-industry average. This study uses claims from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (OHBWC) database to identify high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses in this industry in Ohio. The causes of those illnesses and injuries are highlighted to identify common factors. METHODS: The OHBWC database includes injured-worker industry identification, occupation, business size, demographics, diagnoses, and free-text descriptions of injury circumstances. We identified landscaping service industry claims from 2001 to 2017, and describe annual claim counts and rates. RESULTS: Over the 17-year period, 18,037 claims were accepted, with "Struck by object or equipment" and "Overexertion involving outside sources" being the most common events or exposures. Sprains and fractures were the most prevalent of the more serious lost-time (LT) injuries. Free-text descriptions of claims indicate that arborist work and loading/unloading of work vehicles and trailers are particularly hazardous. Younger and shorter-tenured workers were injured most frequently, although the average workers' age was higher for LT claims. The total cost of claims to the OHBWC from the landscaping services industry for 2001-2017 was over $226,000,000. Almost $214,000,000, or 94.4%, was for LT injuries and illnesses, even though LT claims comprise only 18% of total claims. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted improvements in landscaper safety could come from controlling events leading to LT claims. Engineering controls and improved training are strongly recommended to reduce falls, overexertion, and struck-by injuries.
Assuntos
Traumatismos Ocupacionais , Indenização aos Trabalhadores , Humanos , Indústrias , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Ocupações , Ohio/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A small but increasing number of studies have examined the risk of injury among temporary workers compared to that among workers in permanent employer arrangements. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of injury risk among temporary and permanent employer workers using a large dataset of workers' compensation (WC) claims of injury. METHODS: Over 1.3 million accepted WC claims in Ohio during the years 2001 to 2013 were analyzed, including 45 046 claims from workers employed by temporary services agencies. General descriptive statistics, injury rates and rate ratios (temporary to permanent workers) were calculated by injury type and event, industry group, and industry manual classes. RESULTS: Injured temporary workers were younger and had less tenure compared to injured permanent workers. Temporary workers had higher injury rates, and lower lost-time and medical costs. Differences in injury rates between temporary and permanent workers varied by injury event, industry, and manual class. CONCLUSION: Temporary workers had higher overall injury rates than permanent workers, controlling for industry manual class. These differences were pronounced for certain industries and injury events. We were not able to control for age and tenure of the worker, so it is not clear how these factors affected observed results. These findings were mostly similar to those from other studies using WC data from the states of Washington and Illinois. Together, these studies provide insights to improve injury prevention among temporary workers, however, additional research is still needed to improve safety and health programming for this group of workers.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. , Ocupações , Ohio/epidemiologia , Migrantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Estados UnidosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Skilled nursing facilities have one of the highest rates of occupational injury and illness among all industries. This study quantifies the burden of occupational injury and illness in this industry using data from a single state-based workers' compensation (WC) system. METHODS: Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation claims from 2001 to 2012 were analyzed among privately owned, state-insured skilled nursing facilities and are presented as claim counts and rates per 100 full-time equivalents (FTE). Worker, employer, incident, and injury characteristics were examined among all claims and by medical-only (medical care expenses and/or less than eight days away from work) and lost-time (eight days or more away from work) claim types. RESULTS: There were 56,442 claims in this population of Ohio skilled nursing facilities from 2001 to 2012. Overexertion and bodily reaction, slips, trips, and falls, and contact with objects and equipment accounted for the majority of all WC claims (89%). Overexertion and bodily reaction, and slips, trips, and falls comprised 85% of the 10,793 lost-time claims. The highest injury event/exposure rates for all claims were for overexertion and bodily reaction (3.7 per 100 FTE for all claims), followed by slip, trips, and falls (2.1), and contact with objects and equipment (1.9). CONCLUSION: Understanding the details surrounding injury events and exposures resulting in WC claims can help better align prevention efforts, such as incorporation of safe patient handling policies and lifting aids, improvement in housekeeping practices, and employee training within skilled nursing facilities to prevent worker injury and mitigate related expenses.
Assuntos
Setor de Assistência à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Instituições de Cuidados Especializados de Enfermagem/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Movimentação e Reposicionamento de Pacientes/efeitos adversos , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/etiologia , Ohio/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this analysis was to identify and prioritize high-risk industry groups for traumatic brain injury (TBI) prevention efforts. METHODS: Workers with TBI from 2001 to 2011 were identified from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation data. To prioritize industry groups by claim type (lost-time (≥8 days away from work) and total claims) and injury event categories, we used a prevention index (PI) that averaged TBI counts and rate ranks (PI = (count rank + rate rank)/2). TBI rates per 10 000 estimated full-time equivalent (FTE = 2000 h/y) workers were calculated. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2011, 12 891 TBIs were identified among private employers, resulting in a rate of 5.1 TBIs per 10 000 FTEs. Of these, 40% (n = 5171) were lost-time TBIs, at a rate of 2.0 per 10 000 FTEs. Spectator Sports had the highest lost-time TBI rate (13.5 per 10 000 FTEs), whereas General Freight Trucking had the greatest number of lost-time TBIs (n = 293). Based on PIs, General Freight Trucking ranked first for lost-time TBIs for all injury events combined. Several industry groups within Construction, General and Specialized Freight Trucking, Services to Building and Dwellings, Employment Services, and Restaurants and Other Eating Places ranked high across multiple injury event categories for lost-time TBIs. CONCLUSIONS: The high-ranking industry groups identified from our study can be used to effectively direct occupational TBI prevention efforts.
Assuntos
Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/economia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/economia , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Escala Resumida de Ferimentos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ohio/epidemiologia , Setor PrivadoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Ambulance service workers frequently transfer and transport patients. These tasks involve occupational injury risks such as heavy lifting, awkward postures, and frequent motor vehicle travel. METHODS: We examined Ohio workers' compensation injury claims among state-insured ambulance service workers working for private employers from 2001 to 2011. Injury claim counts and rates are presented by claim types, diagnoses, and injury events; only counts are available by worker characteristics. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 5882 claims. The majority were medical-only (<8 days away from work). The overall injury claim rate for medical-only and lost-time cases was 12.1 per 100 full-time equivalents. Sprains and strains accounted for 60% of all injury claims. Overexertion from patient handling was the leading injury event, followed by motor vehicle roadway incidents. CONCLUSIONS: Study results can guide the development or improvement of injury prevention strategies. Focused efforts related to patient handling and vehicle incidents are needed.
Assuntos
Ambulâncias/estatística & dados numéricos , Socorristas/estatística & dados numéricos , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Setor Privado/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ohio/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Workers' compensation (WC) insurers collect large amounts of industrial hygiene (IH) data in the United States. The data collected is not easily accessible for research or surveillance purposes. Individual WC insurers are using computerized systems to standardize and store the IH data, leaving a gap in standardization among the different WC insurers. This study sought to standardize IH data collection among WC insurers and to determine the feasibility of pooling collected IH data. IH air and noise survey forms were collected from WC insurers. Data fields on the forms were evaluated for importance and a study list of core fields was developed. The core study list was presented to an IH review panel for review before finalization. The final core study list was compared to recommendations published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Fifty-nine forms from 10 organizations were collected. Industrial hygienists from research organizations, state-based WC insurers, and private WC insurers participated in the data field evaluation and on the review panel. For both air and noise survey forms, more than half the data fields (55% and 54%, respectively) were ranked as "essential." Three of the four fields in the worker and control observations category ranked "essential" were found less than half of the time on both types of survey forms. The study list of core data elements consisted of more than half of the data fields from both the air and noise survey forms. Three additional fields were added based on the comparison to the ACGIH-AIHA recommendations. Data fields essential to standardizing IH data collection were identified and verified. The "essential" data fields will be made available and have the potential to be incorporated into WC insurers electronic IH data management systems. Future research should focus on other IH survey forms, such as those used in ergonomic assessments and specific chemical exposures, and methods to transfer data fields to electronic platforms.
Assuntos
Coleta de Dados/métodos , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Saúde Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Ocupacionais do Ar/análise , Humanos , Seguradoras , Ruído Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Estados Unidos , Indenização aos TrabalhadoresRESUMO
Despite substantial financial and personnel resources being devoted to occupational exposure monitoring (OEM) by employers, workers' compensation insurers, and other organizations, the United States (U.S.) lacks comprehensive occupational exposure databases to use for research and surveillance activities. OEM data are necessary for determining the levels of workers' exposures; compliance with regulations; developing control measures; establishing worker exposure profiles; and improving preventive and responsive exposure surveillance and policy efforts. Workers' compensation insurers as a group may have particular potential for understanding exposures in various industries, especially among small employers. This is the first study to determine how selected state-based and private workers' compensation insurers collect, store, and use OEM data related specifically to air and noise sampling. Of 50 insurers contacted to participate in this study, 28 completed an online survey. All of the responding private and the majority of state-based insurers offered industrial hygiene (IH) services to policyholders and employed 1 to 3 certified industrial hygienists on average. Many, but not all, insurers used standardized forms for data collection, but the data were not commonly stored in centralized databases. Data were most often used to provide recommendations for improvement to policyholders. Although not representative of all insurers, the survey was completed by insurers that cover a substantial number of employers and workers. The 20 participating state-based insurers on average provided 48% of the workers' compensation insurance benefits in their respective states or provinces. These results provide insight into potential next steps for improving the access to and usability of existing data as well as ways researchers can help organizations improve data collection strategies. This effort represents an opportunity for collaboration among insurers, researchers, and others that can help insurers and employers while advancing the exposure assessment field in the U.S.
Assuntos
Coleta de Dados/métodos , Seguradoras/estatística & dados numéricos , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Coleta de Dados/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Saúde Ocupacional , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lead exposure has been linked to impaired renal function and kidney failure. High lead exposures have been associated with increased mortality from certain cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: We extended vital status follow-up on a cohort of 1,990 lead smelter workers by 25 years and computed standardized mortality ratios and rate ratios (RR) stratified by cumulative lead exposure. RESULTS: The update added 13,823 person-years at risk and 721 deaths. Increased risk of mortality was observed for the a priori outcomes of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease (including cerebrovascular disease), chronic kidney disease, and ALS. However, of these outcomes, only cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney diseases were associated with a positive exposure-response in RR analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study reaffirms the association of lead exposure with cardiovascular and kidney diseases; however, increased mortality observed for certain cancers is not likely to be due to lead exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:979-986, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Assuntos
Intoxicação por Chumbo/mortalidade , Chumbo , Metalurgia , Doenças Profissionais/mortalidade , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doenças Cardiovasculares/induzido quimicamente , Doenças Cardiovasculares/mortalidade , Causas de Morte , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Nefropatias/mortalidade , Intoxicação por Chumbo/complicações , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidade , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Profissionais/induzido quimicamente , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Workers' compensation (WC) claims data may be useful for identifying high-risk industries and developing prevention strategies. METHODS: WC claims data from private-industry employers insured by the Ohio state-based workers' compensation carrier from 2001 to 2011 were linked with the state's unemployment insurance (UI) data on the employer's industry and number of employees. National Labor Productivity and Costs survey data were used to adjust UI data and estimate full-time equivalents (FTE). Rates of WC claims per 100 FTE were computed and Poisson regression was used to evaluate differences in rates. RESULTS: Most industries showed substantial claim count and rate reductions from 2001 to 2008, followed by a leveling or slight increase in claim count and rate from 2009 to 2011. Despite reductions, there were industry groups that had consistently higher rates. CONCLUSION: WC claims data linked to employment data could be used to prioritize industries for injury research and prevention activities among State-insured private employers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1087-1104, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assuntos
Indústrias/estatística & dados numéricos , Revisão da Utilização de Seguros/estatística & dados numéricos , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/prevenção & controle , Setor Privado/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Ohio/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a program in which a workers' compensation (WC) insurer provided matching funds to insured employers to implement safety/health engineering controls. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention WC metrics were compiled for the employees designated as affected by the interventions within 468 employers for interventions occurring from 2003 to 2009. Poisson, two-part, and linear regression models with repeated measures were used to evaluate differences in pre- and post-data, controlling for time trends independent of the interventions. RESULTS: For affected employees, total WC claim frequency rates (both medical-only and lost-time claims) decreased 66%, lost-time WC claim frequency rates decreased 78%, WC paid cost per employee decreased 81%, and WC geometric mean paid claim cost decreased 30% post-intervention. Reductions varied by employer size, specific industry, and intervention type. CONCLUSIONS: The insurer-supported safety/health engineering control program was effective in reducing WC claims and costs for affected employees.
Assuntos
Seguradoras , Saúde Ocupacional , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Ergonomia , Humanos , Revisão da Utilização de Seguros , Ohio , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/economiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Stationary sawing machinery is often a basic tool in the wood product manufacturing industry and was the source for over 2,500 injury/illness events that resulted in days away from work in 2010. METHODS: We examined 9 years of workers' compensation claims for the state of Ohio in wood product manufacturing with specific attention to saw-related claims. For the study period, 8,547 claims were evaluated; from this group, 716 saw-related cases were examined. RESULTS: The sawmills and wood preservation sub-sector experienced a 71% reduction in average incidence rate and an 87% reduction in average lost-time incidence rate from 2001 to 2009. The top three injury category descriptions for lost-time incidents within saw-related claims were fracture (35.8%), open wounds (29.6%), and amputation (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS: For saw-related injuries, preventing blade contact remains important but securing the work piece to prevent kickback is also important.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trabalho/tendências , Amputação Traumática/epidemiologia , Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Lacerações/epidemiologia , Sistemas Homem-Máquina , Indústria Manufatureira/tendências , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Humanos , Incidência , Indústria Manufatureira/classificação , Ohio/epidemiologia , Índices de Gravidade do Trauma , Madeira , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study summarized the frequency and cost of mining-related injuries. METHODS: Mining-related workers' compensation (WC) claims data from 35 states were summarized to report counts, claim rates, and costs for 2012-2019. These data were compared with Mine Safety and Health Administration injury and employment data for the same period. RESULTS: Despite system differences, both WC and Mine Safety and Health Administration counts and rates declined over time and injury patterns were similar. Total WC costs were approximately $2.325B. Medical-only claims represented 59.4% of the claims by count, but only 3.3% of costs. Lost-time nonfatal claims represented 40.2% of the claims by count, but 90.2% of costs. Claims frequency and costs varied greatly by injury event/exposure, part of body, and nature. CONCLUSIONS: Injury frequency has declined but costs remain high. The most costly and disabling cases were identified.
Assuntos
Mineração , Traumatismos Ocupacionais , Indenização aos Trabalhadores , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/economia , Humanos , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/economia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos , Mineração/economia , Masculino , Adulto , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Acidentes de Trabalho/economia , Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Revisão da Utilização de SegurosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed Ohio workers' compensation data to identify potential prevention strategies for common oil and gas extraction industry claims. METHODS: Claim rates for 2001-2018 were calculated per full-time equivalent employee. Descriptive analyses on free-text descriptions of lost-time (LT) claims (>7 days away from work) identified common characteristics among claims and injured workers. RESULTS: Among 3134 claims, 860 (27%) were LT. The industry group, drilling contractors, experienced the highest LT claims rate, whereas the cost from servicing contractors was the highest. Contact with objects and equipment caused the highest LT claims rate. The most frequent LT occupation was roustabout, and the most frequent LT work activity was material handling. Transportation incidents caused most fatalities and hospitalizations. Over half of LT claims were from short-tenured workers. CONCLUSIONS: Both proven and innovative approaches are needed to reduce severe workers' compensation claims in this industry.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trabalho , Traumatismos Ocupacionais , Indústria de Petróleo e Gás , Indenização aos Trabalhadores , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/economia , Humanos , Ohio , Adulto , Masculino , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/prevenção & controle , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/economia , Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Acidentes de Trabalho/prevenção & controle , Acidentes de Trabalho/economia , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Saúde Ocupacional , Indústrias Extrativas e de ProcessamentoRESUMO
This study estimated the average annual number of U.S. workers' compensation (WC) claims for occupational hearing loss (OHL) and their associated cost and identified the industry/occupation classifications with the highest numbers of OHL claims. The most recent U.S. cost estimate ($242 million) was based on data from one state in 1 year (1991). WC data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. (35 states) and two additional individual states were examined, incorporating data from 37 states and the District of Columbia. Costs and numbers of claims were estimated for the 13 missing states to develop estimates for the United States. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to develop ranges for the point estimates. The estimated U.S. average annual OHL claim cost fell within the range of $49 to $67 million during 2009-2013, with a point estimate of $60 million (2013 dollars). The estimated average annual number of OHL claims ranged from 4,114 to 5,986, with a point estimate of 4,965 claims. Based on data available from 36 states and DC, 18 of the 40 industry/occupation classifications with ≥50 OHL claims were in the manufacturing sector. WC data underestimate the true burden of OHL. Most OHL cases are not compensated. WC laws, industry composition and other factors vary widely by state, so estimates must employ data for many states. This study incorporated data from most states and utilized sensitivity and comparative analyses to obtain estimates. Workers in a wide range of industry/occupation classifications need special attention to prevent OHL.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Firefighters are at high risk for nonfatal and fatal occupational injuries. While some past research has quantified firefighter injuries using various data sources, Ohio workers' compensation injury claims data largely have not been used. METHODS: Public and private firefighter claims, including volunteer and career firefighters, from Ohio's workers' compensation data for 2001-2017 were identified based on occupational classification codes and manual review of the occupation title and injury description. The task during injury (firefighting, patient care, training, other/unknown, etc.) was manually coded based on the injury description. Injury claim counts and proportions were described across claim type (medical-only or lost-time), worker demographics, task during injury, injury events, and principal diagnoses. RESULTS: 33,069 firefighter claims were identified and included. Most claims were medical-only (66.28%, <8 days away from work) and involved males (93.81%) aged 25-54 years (86.54%). While the task during injury could not be categorized for many narratives (45.96%), the largest percentage that could be categorized occurred during firefighting (20.48%) and patient care (17.60%). The most common injury events were overexertion involving outside sources (31.33%) and struck by objects or equipment (12.68%). The most frequent principal diagnoses were back, lower extremity, and upper extremity sprains (16.02%, 14.46%, and 11.98%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a preliminary basis for the development of focused firefighter injury prevention programming and training. Obtaining denominator data, enabling rate calculation, would strengthen the risk characterization. Based on the current data, prevention efforts focusing on the most frequent injury events and diagnoses may be warranted.
Assuntos
Bombeiros , Traumatismos Ocupacionais , Masculino , Humanos , Ohio/epidemiologia , Indenização aos Trabalhadores , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/epidemiologia , Traumatismos Ocupacionais/prevenção & controle , FadigaRESUMO
Background: This study examined age-group differences in the rate, severity, and cost of injuries among construction workers to support evidence-based worker safety and health interventions in the construction industry. Methods: Ohio workers' compensation claims for construction workers were used to estimate claim rates and costs by age group. We analyzed claims data auto-coded into five event/exposure categories: transportation incidents; slips, trips, and falls (STFs); exposure to harmful substances and environments; contact with objects and equipment (COB); overexertion and bodily reaction. American Community Survey data were used to determine the percentage of workers in each age group. Results: From 2007-2017, among 72,416 accepted injury claims for â¼166,000 construction full-time equivalent (FTE) per year, nearly half were caused by COB, followed by STFs (20%) and overexertion (20%). Claim rates related to COB and exposure to harmful substances and environments were highest among those 18-24 years old, with claim rates of 313.5 and 25.9 per 10,000 FTE, respectively. STFs increased with age, with the highest claim rates for those 55-64 years old (94.2 claims per 10,000 FTE). Overexertion claim rates increased and then declined with age, with the highest claim rate for those 35-44 years old (87.3 per 10,000 FTE). While younger workers had higher injury rates, older workers had higher proportions of lost-time claims and higher costs per claim. The total cost per FTE was highest for those 45-54 years old ($1,122 per FTE). Conclusion: The variation in rates of injury types by age suggests that age-specific prevention strategies may be useful.