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Work Injuries (work + injury)
Selected AbstractsIdentifying cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity in workers' compensation databasesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Dianne Zakaria MSc (PT), PhD (Candidate) Abstract Background Impeding the use of workers' compensation databases for surveillance of cumulative trauma disorder of the upper extremity (CTDUE) is the lack of valid and reliable extraction strategies. Methods Using the Z795-96 Coding of Work Injury or Disease Information standard, analgorithm was developed to classify claims as definite, possible, or non-CTDUE. Reliability was assessed with standardized claim reviews. Results Moderate to substantial agreement (Kappa,=,0.48, 95% CI 0.42,0.54, n,=,328; weighted Kappa,=,0.75, 95% CI 0.70,0.80, n,=,328) was demonstrated. The algorithm produced relatively homogeneous groups of definite and non-CTDUE claims but 29.1% of the possible CTDUE claims were categorized as definite CTDUE by claim review. Part of body agreement was almost perfect (Kappa,=,0.81,1.00) when determining whether the upper extremity or specific parts of the upper extremity were involved. Conclusions The algorithm can be used to estimate the number of CTDUE and extract homogeneous groups of definite and non-CTDUE claims. Furthermore, certain upper extremity part of body codes can be used to target anatomically defined claims. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:507,518, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Innovative Work Practices, Information Technologies, and Working Conditions: Evidence for FranceINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 4 2010PHILIPPE ASKENAZY We investigate the impact of new work practices and information and communication technologies (ICT) on working conditions in France. We use a unique French dataset providing information on individual workers for the year 1998. New work practices include the use of quality norms, job rotation, collective discussions on work organization, and work time flexibility. Working conditions are captured by occupational injuries as well as indicators of mental strain. We find that individuals working under the new practices face greater mental strain than individuals who do not. They also face a higher probability of work injuries, at least for benign ones. In contrast, our results suggest that ICT contribute to make the workplace more cooperative and to reduce occupational risks and injuries. [source] The Pennsylvania certified safety committee program: An evaluation of participation and effects on work injury ratesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010Hangsheng Liu PhD Abstract Background Since 1994, Pennsylvania, like several other states, has provided a 5% discount on workers' compensation insurance premiums for firms with a certified joint labor management safety committee. This study explored the factors affecting program participation and evaluated the effect of this program on work injuries. Methods Using Pennsylvania unemployment insurance data (1996,2006), workers' compensation data (1998,2005), and the safety committee audit data (1999,2007), we conducted propensity score matching and regression analysis on the program's impact on injury rates. Results Larger firms, firms with higher injury rates, firms in high risk industries, and firms without labor unions were more likely to join the safety committee program and less likely to drop out of the program. The injury rates of participants did not decline more than the rates for non-participants; however, rates at participant firms with good compliance dropped more than the rates at participant firms with poor compliance. Conclusions Firm size and prior injury rates are key predictors of program participation. Firms that complied with the requirement to train their safety committee members did experience reductions in injuries, but non-compliance with that and other requirements was so widespread that no overall impact of the program could be detected. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:780,791, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Relationship of work injury severity to family member hospitalizationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Abay G. Asfaw PhD Abstract Background Working while under stress due to a family health event may result in injuries of greater severity. Work leave might mitigate such consequences. Data and Methods Workers' compensation data for 33,817 injured workers and inpatient medical data for 76,077 members of their families were extracted from the 2002,2005 Thomson Reuters Medstat MarketScan Health and Productivity Management (HPM) and Commercial Claims and Encounter (CCE) datasets. Using a probit model, the impact of family hospitalization on the probability that a subsequent injury would be severe (above average indemnity costs) was estimated, adjusting for age, sex, hourly versus salaried status, industry sector, state, and family size. Results Family hospitalization within 15 days before injury increased the likelihood that the injury would be severe (from 12.5% to 21.5%) and was associated with 40% higher indemnity costs and 50% higher medical costs. Hospitalizations over 30 days before injury had no impact. Conclusion The observed higher severity of work injuries following family hospitalizations suggests additional analyses may find higher injury rates as well, and that timely family leaves might help prevent severe workplace injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:506,513, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The law and incomplete database information as confounders in epidemiologic research on occupational injuries and illnesses,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Arthur Oleinick MD Abstract Background Capture,recapture studies report undercounting of work injuries/illnesses with days away from work (DAFW) in the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (BLS SOII) by 25,68% depending on the state and undercounting by various state workers' compensation (WC) systems of eligible claims by 5,35%. Methods Statutory/regulatory criteria defining eligible cases are used to adjust counts in the 1998,2001 Minnesota's WC system and the BLS SOII to permit comparison and to evaluate the recent studies. Missing information in the employer database used in the capture,recapture studies is tabulated. An attempt is made to harmonize results with two additional databases counting work injuries. Results Counts in the BLS SOII moderately undercount by 10,16% the number of WC cases. We believe that matching in capture,recapture studies is adversely affected by misperceptions regarding the application of statutory/regulatory eligibility criteria and by missing data. The result is that the reported undercounts in both the BLS SOII and several state WC databases are overstated in the capture,recapture studies. Although three of four databases can be approximately harmonized, the fourth cannot. Conclusions More precisely targeted information is needed before decisions regarding redesign of the BLS survey are made or before legislative or administrative changes in the WC are contemplated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:23,36, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Community work injuries: Country styleAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2008Pamela Jane Harvey No abstract is available for this article. [source] Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2005Glenn S. Pransky MD, MOCCH Abstract Background The "graying of the workforce" has generated concerns about the physical capacity of older workers to maintain their health and productivity on the job, especially after an injury occurs. There is little detailed research on age-related differences in work outcomes after an occupational injury. Methods A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related factors was administered 2,8 weeks post-injury to workers aged <,55 and ,,55 who had lost time due to a work injury. Results Despite more severe injuries in older workers, most outcomes were similar in both age groups. In multivariate models, age was unrelated or inversely related to poor outcomes. Injury severity, physical functioning, and problems upon return to work were associated with adverse work injury outcomes. Conclusions Older workers appear to fare better than younger workers after a work injury; their relative advantage may be primarily due to longer workplace attachment and the healthy worker effect. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:104,112, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||