Occupational and non-occupational factors associated with work-related injuries among construction workers in the USA

Abstract

Background: Many factors contribute to occupational injuries. However, these factors have been compartmentalized and isolated in most studies. Objective: To examine the relationship between work-related injuries and multiple occupational and nonoccupational factors among construction workers in the USA. Methods: Data from the 1988-2000 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort (N512,686) were analyzed. Job exposures and health behaviors were examined and used as independent variables in four multivariate logistic regression models to identify associations with occupational injuries. Results: After controlling for demographic variables, occupational injuries were 18% (95% CI: 1.04-1.34) more likely in construction than in non-construction. Blue-collar occupations, job physical efforts, multiple jobs, and long working hours accounted for the escalated risk in construction. Smoking, obesity/overweight, and cocaine use significantly increased the risk of work-related injury when demographics and occupational factors were held constant. Conclusions: Workplace injuries are better explained by simultaneously examining occupational and nonoccupational characteristics.

Prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among construction workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…When other variables are held constant, construction workers working for shorter duration had significantly lower work-related injuries. Similar results were reported by other studies, the risk of injury is associated with occupations of long working hours (Dong, 2005;Dong et al, 2015).…”

“…This finding is similar to a study done in Gondar city, Ethiopia. This might be because of the difference in tasks assigned; males commonly do harder tasks leading to severe injuries (Dong et al, 2015;Adane et al, 2013;Welch et al, 2005). When other variables are held constant, construction workers working for shorter duration had significantly lower work-related injuries.…”

“…The poor occupational safety situation among construction workers in developing countries are because of unsafe working environments such as poor design of equipment and work stations; lack of personal protective equipment and inadequate training of workers. While unsafe working environments are the major cause of most workplace injuries, individual related factors such as young age, male sex, lack of formal education, lack of experience, job dissatisfaction, smoking, excess alcohol use, sleeping problems, lack of physical exercise, extended working hours, night work, physically demanding work, and non-use of personal protective equipment are essential factors (Wong, 1994;Huang and Chen, 2002;Chau et al, 2004;Bresciani et al, 2012, Dong et al, 2015. About three-fifth of construction workers are not sure whether they have to wear protective equipment on the construction sites.…”

Precarious employment and occupational accidents and injuries – a systematic review

“…A majority of the studies reported a positive association between precarious employment and occupational injuries. All of the four studies on multiple job holders indicated that the risk for occupational injuries was higher among these individuals compared to those with only one job (15,16,20,21). Being employed through a subcontractor at the same worksite or staffing agency was also associated with a higher risk of occupational injuries compared to being directly employed by the employer (14,22,23).…”

“…Most study groups were general samples of the working population. Four of the studies used a population of blue-collar workers (14)(15)(16)(17) and two of the studies used populations based on health care workers (18,19). The exposure measurements came either from corporate administrations (eg, payrolls), national statistics registers, or were self-reported.…”