A case-control study of risk factors for industrial low back injury: implications for primary and secondary prevention programs.
Data were collected on 228 consecutive back injuries in Boston's General Mail Facility and 228 non-injured controls drawn randomly from each case's work unit, matching on craft (clerk, mailhandler, maintenance), shift, and general supervisor. Data were collected on age, gender, duration of employment, 3 year history of injury claims, overtime work in the past 2 weeks, job change in the past 60 days, and machine vs. manual job. Risk factors for back injury were examined simultaneously in a conditional logistic regression for matched pairs. Risk factors included history of back injury claim (OR = 16.5, p less than 0.0001), younger age (OR = 3.0, p = 0.0001), shorter duration of employment (OR = 2.6, p = 0.0007), recent job change (OR = 2.5, p = 0.06), and history of non-back injury claim (OR = 2.0, p = 0.08). Among heavy lifters (vs. clerks) overtime and being female increased the risk of injury. In this setting, higher risk workers who may benefit from preventive education programs can be identified.
Daltroy
L H
LH
RBB Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Larson
M G
MG
Wright
E A
EA
Malspeis
S
S
Fossel
A H
AH
Ryan
J
J
Zwerling
C
C
Liang
M H
MH
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D019567:Back Injuries; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001900:Boston; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014942:Workers' Compensation