Risks of a lifetime in construction Part I: Traumatic injuries. Issue 9 (24th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Ringen, Knut; Welch, Laura; Dement, John
• Is Part Of: American journal of industrial medicine. Volume 57:Issue 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 973
• Page End: 983
• Publication Date: 2014-07-24
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-3586

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajim22363-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Estimates of occupational risk are typically computed on an annual basis. In contrast, this article provides estimates of lifetime risks for fatal and nonfatal injuries among construction workers. A companion paper presents lifetime risks for occupational illnesses.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22363-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Using 2003–2007 data from three large data sources, lifetime risk was computed based on the number of fatal and nonfatal injuries per 100 FTEs for a working lifespan of 45 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22363-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>For a working life in construction, the risk of fatal injuries were approximately one death per 200 FTE, and the leading causes were falls and transportation incidents. For nonfatal injuries resulting in days away from work, the adjusted lifetime risk was approximately 78 per 100 FTEs, and the leading causes were contact with objects/equipment, overexertion, and falls to a lower level.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22363-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Lifetime risk estimates help inform both workers and policymakers. Despite improvements over the past decades, risks in construction remain high. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:973–983, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>