Use of employer administrative databases to identify systematic causes of injury in aluminum manufacturing

Abstract

Employer administrative files are a useful source of data, as they permit the exploration of risk factors and potential confounders that are not included in many population-based surveys. The ability to link employer administrative files with injury surveillance data is a valuable analysis strategy for comprehensively studying workplace injuries, identifying salient risk factors, and targeting workforce populations disproportionately affected.

Near‐miss reporting system as an occupational injury preventive intervention in manufacturing

“…For example, the incidence rate in household appliance manufacturing was 5.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, 3.2 cases in chemical manufacturing, 2.7 cases in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, and 2.0 cases in computer and electronic product manufacturing [BLS, 2005b]. Consistent with injuries in other industries [Sorock et al, 2002[Sorock et al, , 2004Cai et al, 2005;Pollack et al, 2007], discomfort, pain, strain, and lacerations involving upper extremities, neck, and back were the most commonly reported in this plant. Occupational neck and back pain remain a significant source of morbidity and disability every year [Shelerud, 2006;Palmer and Smedley, 2007].…”

Contribution of health status and prevalent chronic disease to individual risk for workplace injury in the manufacturing environment

“…Data were obtained from a variety of sources including the employer's human resources databases, medical insurance claims data capturing each personal medical service, procedure, test or treatment provided and physician diagnosis for same, and a real-time incident management system established in 1989 in which details of every near-miss, first aid, or OSHA-recordable injury or incident are recorded within 48 h of occurrence. These sources are described in greater detail in previous publications 17 22 23. None of the data included are obtained from self-report.…”

Estimation of the relative risks of musculoskeletal injuries in the Andalusian manufacturing sector

“…This pattern has also been studied at the company level (Pollack et al, 2007). One important confounding factor is that older workers usually have less demanding tasks (Landau et al, 2008).…”