Citation

Nelson NA, Kaufman JD. Am. J. Ind. Med. 1996; 30(4): 438-446.

Affiliation

Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia 98504-4330, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199610)30:4<438::AID-AJIM9>3.0.CO;2-R

PMID

8892549

Abstract

This study describes injuries related to assaults and violence that occurred in Washington State workplaces in 1992. Nonfatal injuries are emphasized. High-risk industries and occupations are described. Fatalities caused by work-related violence were identified using the 1992 U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Nonfatal injuries were identified using the BLS Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and the Washington State workers' compensation system. Thirteen occupational fatalities resulted from assaults or violent acts in 1992. BLS data identified 784 nonfatal injuries that resulted in one or more day off work; workers' compensation data identified 2,395 claims. Industries experiencing the highest claim rates were Social Services (148 per 10,000) and Health Services (106 per 10,000). Nonfatal violent injuries were common and appeared to have different risk factors than fatal injuries. Industries in which injuries occurred were often predictable and suggested specific strategies for prevention efforts.

Language: en