The relationship between work-related and non-work-related injuries

A case-control study of occupational injuries sustained by 914 male hourly workers employed in two Tenneco manufacturing divisions in 1987 was undertaken to examine the association between occupational and non-occupational injuries. Its aim was to evaluate whether employees who experienced a work-related injury were more likely to have sustained a previous non-work-related injury compared to individuals who did not experience a work-related injury.A statistically significant association between occupational injuries and past non-occupational injuries was seen when all workers compensation (WC) claims were analyzed (OR=1.41) and when claims involving indemnity for lost time were analyzed (OR=1.82). In addition, both workers who had occupational low-back injuries and workers who had occupational non-low-back injuries also had significantly higher risks of such injuries from a non-occupational origin (OR=1.91 for low-back injuries and OR=1.44 for non-low-back injuries).The findings suggest that elements other than workplace hazards (such as life-style and physical and psychological factors) may predispose an individual to both occupational and non-occupational injuries.Shan P. Tsai is Manager of Epidemiology and Health Research: Edward J. Bernacki is Vice President of Health, Environmental Medicine and Safety; Catherine M. Dowd is Research Analyst. Tenneco Inc., Health Environmental, Medicine and Safety, P.O. Box 2511, Houston, Texas 77252.We thank April K. Richardson for her skillful typing.