Association between the decline in workers' compensation claims and workforce composition and job characteristics in Ontario, Canada.
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.
Breslin
F Curtis
FC
Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. cbreslin@iwh.on.ca
Tompa
Emile
E
Mustard
Cameron
C
Zhao
Ryan
R
Smith
Peter
P
Hogg-Johnson
Sheilah
S
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