Sa. Khuder et al., Injuries and illnesses among hospital workers in Ohio - A study of workers' compensation claims from 1993 to 1996, J OCCUP ENV, 41(1), 1999, pp. 53-59
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health
Journal title
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
Occupational illnesses and injuries are common problems facing workers and
employers. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent
of illnesses and injuries among hospital workers in Ohio. All workers' com
pensation claims for 22 hospitals in Ohio during the period 1993-1996 were
reviewed. The majority of the claims were for sprain and strain injuries. M
ost of the claims were approved. Back injury was the leading cause of injur
y in both genders, and females reported a significantly higher percentage o
f back injuries. The incidence rates for injuries and illnesses were lower
than national rates for other industries. Generally, there was a downward t
rend in the number of claims during the study period. A negative linear tre
nd in injury rates by hospital size was detected. Our findings suggest the
need for safety programs, especially in smaller hospitals, with the goal of
preventing sprain and strain injuries.