Analysis of workers' compensation claims data for machine-related injuries in metal fabrication businesses

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bejan A ; Brosseau LM ; Parker, David L. ; Xi M ; Yamin SC
• Description:
  Background: Metal fabrication workers are at high risk for machine-related injury. Apart from amputations, data on factors contributing to this problem are generally absent. Methods: Narrative text analysis was performed on workers' compensation claims in order to identify machine-related injuries and determine work tasks involved. Data were further evaluated on the basis of cost per claim, nature of injury, and part of body. Results: From an initial set of 4,268 claims, 1,053 were classified as machine-related. Frequently identified tasks included machine operation (31%), workpiece handling (20%), setup/adjustment (15%), and removing chips (12%). Lacerations to finger(s), hand, or thumb comprised 38% of machine-related injuries; foreign body in the eye accounted for 20%. Amputations were relatively rare but had highest costs per claim (mean $21,059; median $11,998). Conclusions: Despite limitations, workers' compensation data were useful in characterizing machine-related injuries. Improving the quality of data collected by insurers would enhance occupational injury surveillance and prevention efforts. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Occupational Safety Costs Injuries Injury Prevention Machine Guarding Machine Operators Machine Safeguarding Metal Industry Workers Safety Management Surveillance Workers' Compensation Workers Compensation

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  59
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048027
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2016 Aug; 59(8):656-664
• Contact Point Address:
  Samuel C. Yamin, MPH, Health Partners Institute, 8170 33rd Avenue South, Mail stop 23301A, Bloomington, MN 55440-1524
• Email:
  samuel.c.yamin@healthpartners.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  Park Nicollet Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20170731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:aa90e0231dd71acaf8c3e6fa5615f3c9672492fb0c46c9e7ba618e3f21def1d3e9c1787f1d76c460a3260c7ac34a983db96ad3ef0599b55053bdf2be33071215
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202914/cdc_202914_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 220.12 KB ]