Factors that distinguish serious versus less severe Strain and sprain injuries: An analysis of electric utility workers

Background Occupational sprain and strain injuries are one of the most common types of nonfatal occupational injuries and a significant source of lost workdays. This study examines factors associated with severe work‐related sprain/strain injuries to the back, shoulder, and knees. Methods A synthetic case–control study was performed (controls were selected from the same pool of utility workers as cases). Cases included all electric utility workers who had experienced a severe work‐related sprain/strain injury to the back, knee, or shoulder. Primary controls were selected from all workers who had sustained a minor injury. Secondary controls were selected from employees with a minor sprain/strain injury to the back, knee, or shoulder. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results Workers 41 years and older were more likely to have experienced severe shoulder sprain/strain injuries [Age 41–50: OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.71–7.65; age 51 and older: OR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.89–10.67] and severe back sprain/strain injuries [Age 41–50: OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.06–2.33; age 51 and older: OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.90–2.52]. Line workers and maintenance workers had an increased risk of serious sprain/strain injuries. Gender and day of week were not significantly associated with sprain/strain injuries. Discussion Though this study is limited by available data, future studies may benefit from this preliminary examination of occupational and demographic characteristics associated with serious sprain/strain injuries among electric utility workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:210–220, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.