Assessment of occupational eye injury risk and severity: an analysis of Rhode Island workers' compensation data 1998-2002 |
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Authors: | McCall Brian P Horwitz Irwin B |
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Affiliation: | University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, Industrial Relations Center, Minnesota, USA. |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Occupational eye injuries have been recognized as a serious health risk to workers and are in need of further investigation to develop effective interventions. METHODS: Rhode Island workers' compensation claims of ocular injury between 1998 through 2002 (n=8,877) were examined. The Current Population Survey was used to estimate occupational employment levels as a baseline for rate calculations. RESULTS: The estimated ocular injury claim rate was 32.9 per 10,000 workers (95% CI=32.3-33.6), with the cost of claims totaling $1,514,666 and averaging $171 per claim. The highest estimated claim rate of all occupations was found for construction laborers of 373.7 per 10,000 workers (95% CI=267.1-480.3). Relative to the durable manufacturing industry, the highest risk of injury resulting in disability indemnification was the wholesale trade industry (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.19-4.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Many of the eye injuries reported were likely preventable. Greater diligence, training, and safety precautions are needed to reduce the risk of eye injury to employees. |
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Keywords: | eye injury occupational safety Workers' compensation ocular trauma injury risk surveillance |
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