Adolescent Occupational Injuries and Workplace Risks: An Analysis of Oregon Workers’ Compensation Data 1990–1997
Received 29 August 2006; accepted 9 February 2007. published online 13 April 2007.
Refers to article:
Advocating the Inclusion of Adolescent Work Experience as Part of Routine Preventive Care
Carol W. Runyan
Journal of Adolescent Health
September 2007 (Vol. 41, Issue 3, Pages 221-223) Full Text |
Full-Text PDF (69 KB)
Abstract
Purpose
Injuries to adolescents from occupational activities has been recognized as a significant public health concern. The objective of this study was to quantify adolescent injury rates, analyze risk factors, and measure the severity of injuries sustained using Oregon workers’ compensation data.
Methods
From 1990–1997, a total of 8060 workers’ compensation claims, submitted by claimants 16–19 years old, were accepted by Oregon and used in these analyses. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics were used to derive injury rates.
Results
An overall estimated claim rate of 134.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 124.9–143.6) per 10,000 adolescent workers was found, with males having over twice the rate of females. The total average annual claim cost was $3,168,457, representing $3145 per claim. The average total temporary disability period per claim was 22.3 days. Precision production workers had the highest claim rate of 296.2 (95% CI 178.9–413.4) and highest associated costs ($8266) for all occupations, whereas those in the farming/fishing/forestry occupation had the longest average periods of indemnification with 31.6 days. Day shift workers had the highest claim rates and most severe injuries relative to other shifts.
Conclusion
The injury rates found among adolescent workers demonstrates that continued safety interventions and increased training are needed. Because of high claim rate and injury severity, particular attention should be focused on adolescents in food service, manufacturing, and agricultural occupations. Understanding the differences of adolescent circadian rhythm patterns in establishing work schedules and supervisory practices could also prove valuable for decreasing injury risk.
aIndustrial Relations Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
bSchool of Public Health, University of Texas, Houston, Texas
Address correspondence to: Dr. Irwin B. Horwitz, Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, E303, Houston, TX 77030.
ABSTRACT