28166127

PMC5302493

Objective

We examined the association between job demand and occupational injury among older workers.

Methods

Participants were workers aged 50+ enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study, 2010–2014. Participants reported physical ability within three domains: physical effort, stooping/kneeling/crouching, and lifting. To measure subjective job demand, participants rated their job's demands within domains. We generated objective job demand measures through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). Using Poisson regression, we modeled the association between physical ability, job demand, and self-reported occupational injury. A second model explored interaction between job demand and physical ability.

Results

The injury rate was 22 /1,000 worker-years. Higher job demand was associated with increased injury risk. Within high job demands, lower physical ability was associated with increased injury risk.

Conclusions

Older workers whose physical abilities do not meet job demands face increased injury risk.

CDC Public Access

T42 OH008433/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States
TL1 TR000422/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States