Occupational fall injuries presenting to the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to evaluate occupational and fall injuries presenting to the ED, the risk factors associated with falls among all occupational injuries, and factors affecting prognosis.


METHODS
Data from ED-based Occupational Injury Surveillance System were analysed to investigate the occupational injuries. The 2147 occupational injury subjects were divided into two groups: fall (n = 213, 9.9%) and non-fall (n = 1934, 90.1%). Data including baseline and clinical characteristics were compared between the groups.


RESULTS
The mean age was older in the fall group (46 vs 42 years old). The rate of construction site-related injury was 32% in the fall group and only 8% in the non-fall group. Injury occurrence during regular working hours (09.00 hours to 18.00 hours) was 70% in the fall group and 57% in the non-fall group. Injury severity using the Excess Mortality Ratio-adjusted Injury Severity Score (EMR-ISS) was more severe in the fall group than in the non-fall group, and days away from work were longer in the fall group than the non-fall group. Older age, compared with an age <29 years old and presence in a construction area during regular working hours were factors associated with fall injuries. Factors affecting prolonged absence for work were older age, higher EMR-ISS, fall injury and poor workplace environmental conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk factors associated with fall-related occupational injuries include older age and being at a construction area during regular working hours. Falls among occupational injuries are more severe than other injuries and result in longer work loss.
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea.
Hyung Min
HM
Son
Sun Hyu
SH
Kim
Sang Do
SD
Shin
Hyun Wook
HW
Ryoo
Hyun Ho
HH
Ryu
Ji Ho
JH
Lee
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
accidental fall; occupation; occupational injury