Declining trends in work-related morbidity and disability, 1993-1998: a comparison of survey estimates and compensation insurance claims.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared trends in the incidence of work-related morbidity and disability across 3 sources of surveillance data in a Canadian province.


METHODS
Time series estimates of workplace injuries and work-related disability based on 2 panel surveys in the province of Ontario, Canada, for the period 1993-1998 were compared with rates of work-related injury and illness compensation claims during the same period.


RESULTS
Lost-time compensation claims declined by 28.8% over this 6-year period. The incidence of self-reported work-related injury declined by 28.2%, and the self-reported incidence of work absence for work-related causes declined by 32.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
Parallel reductions in work-related morbidity were seen in 3 independent data sources. These results support an interpretation that there has been an important reduction in injury risk in Ontario workplaces over the past decade.
Mustard
Cam
C
Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. cmustard@iwh.on.ca
Cole
Donald
D
Shannon
Harry
H
Pole
Jason
J
Sullivan
Terry
T
Allingham
Richard
R
D000041:Absenteeism; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013995:Time; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*