Citation

Mujuru P, Helmkamp JC, Mutambudzi M, Hu W, Bell JL. J. Agric. Saf. Health 2009; 15(1): 75-88.

Affiliation

West Virginia University Department of Community Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9190, USA. pmujuru@hsc.wvu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Society of Agricultural Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19266885

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a video-based safety training intervention (VBSTI) to reduce injuries among loggers over an 8-year period. WV Workers' Compensation data were used to assess the trend in injury rates, medical and indemnity costs due to logging injuries. There were 1,435 logger injury claims reported and a modest decline in the minor nature of injuries. There was no significant decline in total injury rates or in "struck by object" incidents emphasized in the VBSTI. Among the severe injuries, "head and neck" injuries showed a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.0454), but "falls" showed a statistically significant inverse change (p < 0.05). Medical and indemnity costs showed a statistical significant decrement (p < 0.05). Due to potential confounding, it is inconclusive whether the modest decreases in the claims can be attributed to the VBSTI. There still remains a need to improve the safety of workers in this high-risk employment.

Language: en