title: Association between the decline in workers' compensation claims and workforce composition and job characteristics in Ontario, Canada.
abstract: We examined associations between workforce demographics and job characteristics, grouped by industrial sector, and declines in workers' compensation claim rates in Ontario, Canada, between 1990 and 2003. Gender, age, occupation, and job tenure were predictors for claim rates in 12 industrial sectors. The decline in claims was significantly associated with a decline in the proportion of employment in occupations with high physical demands. These findings should generate interest in economic incentives and regulatory policies designed to encourage investment in safer production processes.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. cbreslin@iwh.on.ca
authors.forename: F Curtis
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Breslin
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tompa
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mustard
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Sheilah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hogg-Johnson
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003710:Demography; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012449:Safety; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000078329:Workforce