Descriptive Analysis of Nonfatal Occupational Injury Cases Among Cleaning Service Workers at an Illinois Hospital

Details

• Personal Author:
  Artiga A ; Darabi H
• Description:
  Objectives: The objectives of the research were to determine the rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses and to identify the risk factors associated with the most severe injuries and illnesses based on median days away from work and days requiring job restriction or transfer. Methods: Injury data on all cleaning service workers, at one hospital, were extracted from first reports of injury and OSHA 300 logs for the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. Incidence rates were calculated as the number of injuries per 100 full-time equivalents (FTEs) equal to (N/H) X 200,000, where N = number of injuries and illnesses, H = total hours worked, and 200,000 = 100 employees working 40 h/week, 50 weeks/year. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequencies and summary statistics for the different demographic and injury variables. Results: 181 work-related injuries and illnesses were reported during the study period. Approximately 70% of the incidents occurred among females. The mean injury rate requiring days away from work, restricted work or transfer was 21.5 per 100 FTEs. The total median number of days away from work was 8 and days with a job restriction was 33. The most common events were overexertion, struck by/against, and slips/trips/falls with frequencies of 28%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. The most common nature of injury was strain/sprains/tears while the two most common body parts affected were back with 15% and shoulder with 12%. Job tasks associated with the highest number of incidents were lifting or tossing trash bags, mopping, bed cleaning, and maneuvering the housekeeping cart. Conclusion: Hospital cleaners have higher injury rates and morbidity compared to national rates with high frequencies of overexertion and body reaction injuries. More efforts are needed to control hazards such as forceful exertions, awkward postures, and repetitive motions at this workplace. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Epidemiology Health Personnel Household Work Morbidity Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Health Care Personnel Housekeeping Personnel Injuries Lost Work Days Morbidity Rates MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062493
• Citation:
  AIHce 2013: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 18-23, 2013, Montreal, Quebec. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2013 May; :194
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2013: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 18-23, 2013, Montreal, Quebec
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b89a95882d9859387468095b10c266cfd4bf017284b65a9fff642f9ae577fdc35d37c6aada3ccdf1c0a5e81bd14ad9ec822a460d17ad720647f958da103014b2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225728/cdc_225728_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 952.68 KB ]