Safer workplaces needed to stem injury rate among workers with disabilities

Better accommodations and safety programs are called for after the release of a study on injuries to workers with disabilities.

Researchers found workers with disabilities are "significantly more likely to experience both non-occupational and occupational injuries than those without disabilities."

Appearing in the American Journal of Public Health, the study found the rates of nonoccupational and occupational injuries among workers with disabilities were 16.4 and 6.0 per 100 workers per year, respectively. That compared to rates of 6.4 and 2.3 per 100 workers for workers without disabilities.

Updated information sought to protect tunnel workers (02/04/13)
Redesigning, rotating may reduce musculoskeletal disorders (02/04/13)
Technological advancements allow manikins to test protective clothing (02/04/13)
Cellphone, driving myths (05/13/13)
Top cause of workplace injuries, fatalities often preventable, experts say (05/13/13)

"Outreach programs that teach U.S. workers with disabilities occupational safety and health skills could play a significant role in preventing injuries," said Dr. Huiyun Xiang, the study's coauthor and principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

The researchers examined data from the 2006-10 National Health Interview Survey, which used computer-assisted personal interviews. The CIRP teamed up with researchers from Ohio State for the study.

Falls and transportation were the leading mechanisms of injury for both occupational and nonoccupational injuries among both groups of workers.

Thus, improving the safety of the working environment will help to not only reduce the occurrence of fall and transportation-related injuries among workers with disabilities but will also benefit those without disabilities, the authors said.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

September 20, 2012

Newsletter Sign-up