Mechanisms of occupational injuries reported to insurance companies in Norway from 1991 to 1996.
BACKGROUND
To study the association of injury events, types of movements and types of objects involved in relation to occupation, age, and gender in serious occupational injuries to determine where preventive measures should be implemented.


METHODS
The occupational injury claims made to the insurance companies in Norway for 1991-1996, which were stored in a database, were analyzed.


RESULTS
Falls were the most frequent injury event in both genders and in all occupational groups, and the incidence rate increased with age. Among men, the most common action when the injury occurred was handling of goods or materials, whereas for women it was moving without goods or materials. Primary economic activity and manufacturing had the highest injury rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Priority should be given to reduce the occurrence of falls in both genders, and especially among older workers.
Bull
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Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. nils.bull@isf.uib.no
Riise
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T
Moen
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D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors