Relationships between certain individual characteristics and occupational injuries for various jobs in the construction industry: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
There is little published about the role of individual characteristics in occupational injuries. Construction workers have a high rate of injury; we assessed 11 personal characteristics in this professional sector.


METHODS
A case-control study was conducted on 880 male workers who had had at least one occupational injury during a 2-year period and 880 controls. A questionnaire was administered by an occupational physician. Statistical analysis was made via logistic regression method.


RESULTS
Young age (<30 years), sleep disorders and current smoker influenced all the injuries combined. Sleep disorders and young age were common risk factors for several jobs. Physical disabilities and no sporting activity had a role in masons, and 5 years or less in present job in plumbers and electricians only. Sleep disorders influenced both the injuries with and without hospitalization; young age, current smoker, and physical disability influenced those without hospitalization only.


CONCLUSIONS
Young age, sleep disorders, smoking, disabilities, sporting activity, and experience influenced the occupational injuries. The risk for each worker depended on his job. Occupational physicians could inform the workers of these risks and encourage them to take remedial action.
Chau
Nearkasen
N
National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm), Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France.
Mur
Jean-Marie
JM
Benamghar
Lahoucine
L
Siegfried
Christian
C
Dangelzer
Jean-Louis
JL
Français
Martine
M
Jacquin
Régis
R
Sourdot
Alain
A
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology