title: An analysis of permanent work disability among construction sheet metal workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Causes of permanent work disability in the sheet metal industry are not well characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pension records were used to compare causes of disability among sheet metal workers and the U.S. working population. Subgroup analysis examined the major causes of sheet metal worker disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), circulatory disease, and injuries were leading causes of sheet metal worker disability (47.2%, 13.7%, 10.9% of awards, respectively). Award distribution differed from the U.S. working population (P < 0.0001); MSDs and injuries accounted for higher proportions of sheet metal worker awards, particularly at spine, shoulder, and knee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher proportions of awards caused by MSD or injury among sheet metal workers may reflect higher rates of work-related injuries and MSDs, a high likelihood of disability with construction work given the same impairment, or higher prevalence of other conditions in the general population. Prevention requires task-specific ergonomic innovations and proven participatory interventions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Silver Spring, Maryland.
authors.forename: Gavin H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington DC.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Silver Spring, Maryland.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Teitelbaum
authors.affiliation: Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Silver Spring, Maryland.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novello
authors.affiliation: George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington DC.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hunting
authors.affiliation: Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Silver Spring, Maryland.|George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington DC.
authors.forename: Laura S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D060389:Construction Industry; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012943:Social Security; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals
keywords: construction; disability; musculoskeletal; sheet metal; social security