ACUTE WORK INJURIES AMONG ELECTRIC UTILITY LINEMEN

This analysis presents differences in acute work injury rates among el ectric utility linemen who perform different work tasks. Incidence-den sity rate ratios were the primary measure of association and are based on the work injury and per-son-time data for each job title. Logistic regression was used to model race, age, job experience, total inservi ce, prior injury, and time from prior injury. Transmission linemen had the lower acute injury rate with 18.9 per 100 person-work-years (95% CI 16-20), distribution linemen had 27.8 per 100 person-work-years (95 % CI 27-28), and apprentice linemen had 43.3 per 100 person-work-years (95% CI 41-45). Injuries to the trunk and sprains and strains are the predominant injury categories. Having a prior lost time injury increa ses the risk for subsequent lost time injury for transmission. linemen (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0-2.7) and for distribution linemen (OR = 1.5,9 5% CI = 1.3-1.6). (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.