The relationship between work-related and non-work-related injuries.
A case-control study of occupational injuries sustained by 914 male hourly workers employed in two Tenneco manufacturing divisions in 1987 was undertaken to examine the association between occupational and non-occupational injuries. Its aim was to evaluate whether employees who experienced a work-related injury were more likely to have sustained a previous non-work-related injury compared to individuals who did not experience a work-related injury. A statistically significant association between occupational injuries and past non-occupational injuries was seen when all workers compensation (WC) claims were analyzed (OR = 1.41) and when claims involving indemnity for lost time were analyzed (OR = 1.82). In addition, both workers who had occupational low-back injuries and workers who had occupational non-low-back injuries also had significantly higher risks of such injuries from a non-occupational origin (OR = 1.91 for low-back injuries and OR = 1.44 for non-low-back injuries). The findings suggest that elements other than workplace hazards (such as life-style and physical and psychological factors) may predispose an individual to both occupational and non-occupational injuries.
Tenneco Inc., Health Environmental, Medicine and Safety, Houston, Texas 77252.
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Tsai
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Bernacki
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Dowd
D000057:Accident Proneness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*