Citation

Chen GX, Hendricks KJ. J. Saf. Res. 2001; 32(1): 75-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: This study examined characteristics of nonfatal work-related injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs) among African American women by industry in the U.S. in 1996. Method: Injury data were from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Employment data were from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Results: In 1996, African American women, age 16 or older, were treated in EDs for an estimated 158,335 nonfatal work-related injuries (2.6/100 full-time equivalents, FTEs). Of these injuries, 39% occurred in healthcare, 14% in retail trade, and 12% in manufacturing. Healthcare experienced the highest injury rate of 5.1/100 FTEs, followed by a rate of 2.6/100 FTEs in retail trade. Summary: This study is the first report on work-related injuries treated in EDs among African American women by industry on a national level. Injury patterns varied by industry in terms of source, event, diagnoses, and body part. For example, in healthcare the leading source involved interactions with patients and the leading event was physical exertion; whereas in retail trade the leading source was structures and surfaces, and the leading event was contact with objects. Impact on Industry: These findings demonstrate that nonfatal work-related injuries are often concentrated in certain high-risk industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail trade. To improve occupational safety and health for African American women, future research activities and prevention strategies should address the high-risk industries identified in this analysis.