Citation

Berecki-Gisolf J, Clay FJ, Collie A, McClure RJ. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2012; 54(3): 318-327.

Affiliation

From the Monash Injury Research Institute (Drs Berecki-Gisolf and McClure), and Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (Drs Clay and Collie), Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e31823fdf9d

PMID

22371057

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To assess the impact of an aging workforce on (1) the incidence of work-related injury or disease and (2) the return-to-work (RTW) process. METHODS:: Workers' compensation claims (from 2001 to 2004) from Victoria, Australia (n = 59,525) were analyzed. Time off work was defined in terms of time until first RTW, number of workdays compensated, and work disability recurrences. RESULTS:: The incidence of lost-time claims was 7.54 per 1000 worker-years; incidence increased with age to reach a maximum at ages 50 to 54 years. Days until first return also increased with age, as did the sum of compensated days. Recurrences were common (37%) and also increased with age. CONCLUSIONS:: The aging workforce will lead to substantial increase in work disability. Besides general disease and injury preventative practices, policies could aim to provide tailored RTW programs for aging workers.

Language: en