Gender differences in work-related injury/illness: analysis of workers compensation claims.
BACKGROUND
Risk of work-related injuries/illnesses among females has not been well documented. This study compares compensable work-related injuries/illnesses between females and males across all major industrial sectors and occupations using a state-managed Workers Compensation database.


METHODS
Incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of compensable injuries/illnesses among West Virginia Workers Compensation claimants by the total number of female and male workers in each specific industry class (based on SIC codes). Gender-specific denominators for occupations were estimated using 1990 U.S. Census data.


RESULTS
The overall injury/illness rate was significantly lower in females than males (5. 5 vs. 11.5 per 100 employees), a trend that extended to all major industrial classes with the exception of service and agricultural sectors. The distribution of types of injury/illness varied by gender, occupation, and industry with significantly higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, burn, sprain, and fracture in females compared to males.


CONCLUSIONS
Female workers have a greater risk of specific injury/illness compared to males in various industries. Further research will be needed to understand the role of differential job-tasks within each occupation in explaining the risk difference.
Islam
S S
SS
Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. sislam@hsc.wvu.edu
Velilla
A M
AM
Doyle
E J
EJ
Ducatman
A M
AM
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*