Traumatic injury among drywall installers, 1992 to 1995

This study examined the traumatic-injury characteristics associated with on e of the high-risk occupations in the construction industry-drywall install ers-through an analysis of the traumatic-injury data obtained from the Bure au of labor Statistics, An additional objective was to demonstrate a feasib le and economic approach to identify risk factors associated with a specifi c occupation by using an existing database, An analysis of nonfatal traumat ic injuries with days away from work among wage-and-salary drywall installe rs was performed for 1992 through 1995 using the Occupational injury and Il lness Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Results from this study indicate that drywall installers are at a high risk of overexertion and falls to a lower level. More than 40% of the injured drywall installers suffered sprains, strains, and/or tears. The most frequently injured body part was the trunk. More than one-third of the trunk injuries occurred whil e handling solid building materials, mainly drywall: In addition, the datab ase analysis used in this study is valid in identifying overall risk factor s for specific occupations.