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Relationships between certain individual characteristics and occupational injuries for various jobs in the construction industry: A case‐control study
Author(s) -
Chau Nearkasen,
Mur JeanMarie,
Benamghar Lahoucine,
Siegfried Christian,
Dangelzer JeanLouis,
Français Martine,
Jacquin Régis,
Sourdot Alain
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.10319
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , occupational injury , logistic regression , injury prevention , remedial education , human factors and ergonomics , occupational medicine , young adult , job control , poison control , environmental health , gerontology , physical therapy , psychology , work (physics) , mechanical engineering , engineering , mathematics education , pathology
Background There is little published about the role of individual characteristics in occupational injuries. Construction workers have a high rate of injury; we assessed 11 personal characteristics in this professional sector. Methods A case‐control study was conducted on 880 male workers who had had at least one occupational injury during a 2‐year period and 880 controls. A questionnaire was administered by an occupational physician. Statistical analysis was made via logistic regression method. Results Young age (<30 years), sleep disorders and current smoker influenced all the injuries combined. Sleep disorders and young age were common risk factors for several jobs. Physical disabilities and no sporting activity had a role in masons, and 5 years or less in present job in plumbers and electricians only. Sleep disorders influenced both the injuries with and without hospitalization; young age, current smoker, and physical disability influenced those without hospitalization only. Conclusions Young age, sleep disorders, smoking, disabilities, sporting activity, and experience influenced the occupational injuries. The risk for each worker depended on his job. Occupational physicians could inform the workers of these risks and encourage them to take remedial action. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:84–92, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.