Epidemiology of fatal occupational injuries in Jefferson County, Alabama.
BACKGROUND
In Alabama, little is known about the overall characteristics of job-related injuries.


METHODS
We examined fatal occupational injuries that occurred in Jefferson County, Alabama, from 1990 through 1999 using files maintained by the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner Office. Mortality rates were calculated by sex, age, race, occupation, and industry.


RESULTS
There were 186 fatal occupational injuries; 136 were unintentional. The overall fatality rate was 4.45 deaths per 100,000 worker-years. Mortality rates were higher among men than among women, and they increased with advancing age. The homicide rate was higher among black workers than among whites. Mining, manufacturing, and transportation were the industries with the highest fatal injury rates. Transportation-related jobs and manual labor were high-risk occupations.


CONCLUSIONS
High-risk industries should consider worker-targeted injury prevention programs, and particular attention should be paid to elderly workers.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Center for Injury Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala 35294-0016, USA.
Valent
Francesca
F
Taylor
Allison J
AJ
Howard
Harrison J
HJ
Davis
Gregory G
GG
Brissie
Robert M
RM
Rue
Loring W
LW
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D016272:Occupational Health; D009790:Occupations; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*