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Same‐level fall injuries in US workplaces by age group, gender, and industry
Author(s) -
Scott Kenneth A.,
Fisher Gwenith G.,
Barón Anna E.,
Tompa Emile,
Stallones Lorann,
DiGuiseppi Carolyn
Publication year - 2018
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.22796
Subject(s) - medicine , workforce , occupational safety and health , incidence (geometry) , demography , injury prevention , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , occupational injury , psychological intervention , occupational medicine , rate ratio , gerontology , environmental health , population , nursing , physics , pathology , sociology , optics , economics , economic growth
Background As the workforce ages, occupational injuries from falls on the same level will increase. Some industries may be more affected than others. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate same‐level fall injury incidence rates by age group, gender, and industry for four sectors: 1) healthcare and social assistance; 2) manufacturing; 3) retail; and 4) transportation and warehousing. We calculated rate ratios and rate differences by age group and gender. Results Same‐level fall injury incidence rates increase with age in all four sectors. However, patterns of rate ratios and rate differences vary by age group, gender, and industry. Younger workers, men, and manufacturing workers generally have lower rates. Conclusions Variation in incidence rates suggests there are unrealized opportunities to prevent same‐level fall injuries. Interventions should be evaluated for their effectiveness at reducing injuries, avoiding gender‐ or age‐discrimination and improving work ability.