Self-reported occupational injuries among industrial beef slaughterhouse workers in the Midwestern United States

Although workers in meatpacking facilities in the U.S. experience high rates of occupational injury, their injury experiences have received limited research attention. Prior research indicates underreporting in injury rates in this industry as well significant variation in injury rates among facilities. To add detail to the rates and circumstances surrounding occupational injury among meatpacking workers, we conducted a cross-sectional study of workers employed at an industrial beefpacking plant in Nebraska (n = 137) and interviewed workers about recent injury experiences. We assessed frequency, cause and nature of self-reported injury. We estimated annual incidence rates of self-reported injuries using the OSHA formula and compared these rates to industry-wide data. We also evaluated psychological distress in this workforce as measured by the Kessler-6 scale to assess whether distress was associated with recent occupational injury. In this study, 15.1% of workers experienced occupational injuries that required time off work, job transfer, or restriction during the past three months. The estimated annual incidence rate was 15.2 injuries per 100 full-time workers for these injuries at this plant. Rushing was identified as the cause of nearly 50% of injuries, and repetitive work as the cause of an additional 20% of injuries. Use of metal mesh sleeves (POR: 0.10 (p = 0.008)) and metal mesh gloves (POR: 0.41 (p = 0.05) were associated with reduced risk of injury. Use of a carbon steel for knife sharpening (POR: 5.2 (p = 0.02)) was associated with elevated risk of moderate and severe injury. There were no associations between self-reported occupational injury and overall measures of psychological distress. Self-reported incidence rate of severe injury in this plant was more than twice official industry estimates. Worker self-reports may illustrate key areas for injury prevention.     

职业紧张与非致死性职业伤害关系的研究

目的评价职业紧张和非致死性职业伤害的关系。方法采用1:1配比的病例-对照调查设计,以2013年10—12月在中山市6家工伤定点医院收治的151名职业意外伤害工人和151名经年龄、性别、工种匹配且在过去一年无意外伤害的同事为调查对象,运用工作内容问卷(Job Content Questionnaire,JCQ)测量职业紧张。结果两组工人的职业紧张包括自主性维度与工作要求维度与对照组相比差异均有统计学意义(均P0.01)。社会支持方面,上级支持维度得分两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。使用多因素COX回归拟合条件logistic回归分析结果显示,工作需求高(OR=1.27,95%CI=1.15~1.42)是职业性意外伤害的危险因素,而工作自主性高(OR=0.82,95%CI=0.74~0.91)及上级支持较高(OR=0.84,95%CI=0.69~1.00)是职业性意外伤害的保护因素。结论职业紧张对非致死性职业伤害的发生存在影响。     

Fall-related occupational injuries on farms

We assessed risk factors for fall-related farm injuries in a population-based, case-control study. Cases had to reside in a defined geographic region served by a single medical center. Multiple sources reported cases, and a special farm census enabled random selection of controls. The annual risk of farm fall injury was 7.5 (95% CI: 5.7, 10.0) per 1,000 person-years. The crude incidence rate was higher in men, while the rate based on hours of farmwork was higher in women. In a multivariate analysis of risk factors, three factors were significantly associated with the risk. The risk of fall injury increased 2% (95% CI: 1%, 4%) per hour worked. Residents of farms with some farm workers not living on the farm had a fall injury rate 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0, 6.2) times greater than residents of other farms. Residents of farms with registered cows had one-third (95% CI: 0.14, 0.93) the risk of residents of other farms. To identify environmental hazards for fall injuries, researchers from several disciplines may need to collaborate in the design and conduct of studies that include injury site investigations. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fatal occupational injuries among self-employed workers in North Carolina

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that rates of occupational injury and death may be higher among self-employed workers than in the wage and salaried population. This analysis was conducted to describe the demographic and occupational characteristics, as well as injuries, activities, and occupations of self-employed workers who are fatally injured on the job. METHODS: Characteristics of workers by type of employment were compared using data from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 1978-1994. Age-, activity-, and industry-specific fatality rates in self-employed workers (N=395) were contrasted to those privately employed (N=1,654). RESULTS: Highest fatal injury rates among the self-employed occurred in agriculture, retail, and transportation industries. Homicide deaths occurred more frequently among self-employed workers; deaths resulting from unintentional injuries occurred more frequently among non-self-employed workers. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated occupational fatality death rates among self-employed workers, especially in retail and transportation industries, provide justification for addressing work-related conditions of self-employed workers in North Carolina.     

Occupational injuries among adolescents in Washington State, 1988–1991

Background To characterize work-related injuries and illnesses in minors. Methods We analyzed Washington State workers' compensation claims from 1988 through 1991. Results There were 17,800 claims among adolescents from age 11 through 17 years accepted in the 4-year period, including three occupational fatalities, 22 amputations, and 464 fractures; 89% of all injuries occurred among the 16- and 17-year-olds. Claims were most frequent in restaurants, food stores, service industry, other retail and wholesale trade, and agriculture. Washington State census data were used for the denominator in calculating injury rates for adolescents and adults. The crude injury rate for 16- and 17-year-olds employed at the time of the census was similar to that seen among adults (9.0 vs.10.4 per 100 workers), despite that minors work fewer hours per year. The rate among boys was almost twice that seen among girls (11.7 vs. 6.4 per 100 workers). Highest rates, per 100 workers, were in public administration (27.0), construction (21.1), agriculture (11.4), and restaurants (11.0). Using census data for those working anytime over the course of the year and adjusted for the number of hours worked, the injury rate for 16- and 17-year-olds was 19.4/100 full-time equivalents compared with 10.6 of 100 full-time equivalents for adults. Most injuries were lacerations, sprains and strains, contusions, and burns. Conclusions Public health policy and injury prevention strategies for working adolescents should be developed and implemented. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:121–132, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Risk and severity of non-back occupational injuries after lumbar laminectomy for degenerative disc disease

An increased risk, after lumbar laminectomy, for lost work time occupational back injury (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-18.8) and disability (mean 292.8 days vs. 24.8 for controls) was previously demonstrated. Such differences could be due to physical sequelae of back surgery or to psychosocial factors. Extensive literature addresses the impact of psychosocial factors on the incidence of occupational injury and severity of disability. This study assumes that psychosocial factors would affect both back and non-back injuries, while surgery-related physical factors would not. The odds ratio for non-back lost work time injury for subjects in the same cohort studied previously was 1.5 (0.5-4.5), with no significant increase in duration of disability (mean 27.0 days vs. 24.8 for controls). The increased risk for back injury in the absence of an increased risk for other injuries suggests that physiologic rather than psychosocial factors provide the more likely explanation for the differences in back injuries.     

Epidemiology of occupational injuries and illnesses in a university population: a focus on age and gender differences

BACKGROUND: Occupational injuries and illnesses are a major preventable public health problem. METHODS: This study evaluated the incidence, nature, and cause of awarded workers' compensation claims for a large state university and teaching hospital. Rates and types of injury were compared across age and gender. RESULTS: Rates of injury varied over twofold with age, with those 16-25 having the lowest rates of injury and those 36-45 having the highest rates. Claims rates were 1.36-fold higher for women than men. Women had higher rates for injury resulting from lifting, falling, noxious exposures, repetitive motion, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly women had significantly higher rates of claims for pain, sprains, bruises, burns, concussion, and inhalation injury; with lower rates of cuts, ligament injury, and jammed joints. CONCLUSIONS: These group differences suggest the need to examine age and gender job distributions and relevant ergonomic and environmental causative factors.     

煤炭企业职业危害因素调查研究

目的 了解安徽省煤炭企业职业卫牛状况及主要职业病危害因素并提出控制对策．方法 采用职业流行病学方法对准北、淮南矿业集团25个国有煤矿和全省34家小煤窑的职业卫生状况进行调查研究。结果 调查结果显示尘肺病是煤炭企业的主要职业病，粉尘、噪声、振动是主要的职业病危害因素。结论 提示安徽省煤炭企业职业病危害仍很严重，必须加强对煤炭企业粉尘、噪声、振动等重点职业病危害因素的控制及职业卫生管理体系的建没，降低煤炭企业职业病的发病率。     

职业性手外伤的描述性流行病学研究

目的 了解职业性手外伤的构成、分布特征及其影响因素。方法 对自1997年4月－1998年3月在上海市华山医院就诊的1130例急诊职业性手外伤患者进行问卷调查,并随机对其中58例患者进行随访。结果 患者平均年龄为31．3岁,男女性别比为5．4：1;20－50岁的青壮年占83．3％,来自工业性企业患者占60％,开放性外伤占所有职业性手外伤的93．6％;手指损伤占所有病例的79．7％。51．1％的患者为中、重度手外伤,其中机器致伤的占49．9％。结论 职业性手外伤主要发生在青壮年男性和工业性企业中;机器损伤是导致中、重度职业性手外伤最常见的原因,应成为职业性手外伤预防的重点。     

Occupational injuries among Boston bicycle messengers

BACKGROUND: Urban bicycle couriers may have a high incidence of injuries. Most messengers work as contractors and hence their injuries are not well documented. METHODS: To quantify injury rates and severity among urban bicycle couriers a convenience sample of 113 couriers in the city of Boston completed a two-page self-administered survey. RESULTS: Most working couriers have suffered at least one injury resulting either in days lost from work (70%) and in visits to a health-care professional or hospital (55%). The annual incidence rate for injuries resulting in days away from work was 47/100-bike couriers. Bone fractures accounted for the most days lost from work, followed by dislocations, sprains, and strains. Collisions and avoiding collisions with motor vehicles, including being "doored," and collisions with pedestrians accounted for the majority (66%) of events leading to injury. Twenty-four percent of messengers reported wearing a helmet on a regular basis, and 32% have health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Urban bicycle messengers are a poorly documented, largely unstudied workforce who suffer a very high rate of occupational injury.     

急诊室职业性手外伤患者的特点分析

目的 了解北京地区手外伤发生、构成、分布及其影响因素.方法 对2005年4月1日至9月30日间在北京积水潭医院就诊的所有职业性手外伤患者进行问卷调查,分析其流行病学特点.结果 共2658例职业性手外伤患者,占骨科急诊的17.3%(2658/15 323),占手外伤患者的50.8%(2658/5233),平均年龄为(30...     

Predictors of shoulder and back injuries in nursing home workers: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Nursing assistants (NAs) working in nursing homes have among the highest back and shoulder injury rates in the US. Incidence, severity, and cost of non-traumatic soft tissue musculoskeletal disorders in the nursing home industry in Washington State are quite high. METHODS: To determine whether resident characteristics data reported on the Health Care Financing Administration Minimum Data Set (MDS) could be used as a surrogate measure of cumulative exposure to physical loads, we conducted an 18-month prospective study in one nursing home. RESULTS: The combined NA injury incidence rate (IR) was 45.8 self-reported back and shoulder injuries per 100 [FTE] workers per year. In general, MDS reported resident characteristics failed to predict risk with the exception of exposure to loss of voluntary leg mobility (OR = 1.11 per person-shifts of exposure, 95% CI [0.97-1.27]), with the highest risk on the day shift (OR = 1.15, 95% CI [0.95-1.40]). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest social integration and work organization issues may be more important predictors of back and shoulder injuries in nursing assistants than reported resident characteristics as measured by the MDS.