Citation

Engkvist I-L, Hagberg M, Linden A, Malker B. Safety Sci. 1992; 15(2): 97-108.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Engkvist I.-L., Hagberg M., Linden A. and Malker B., 1992. Over-exertion back accidents among nurses' aides in Sweden. Safety Science, 15: 97-108.The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for occupational over-exertion accidents involving the back among female nurses' aides. The job title nurses' aide corresponds to the British job titles state enrolled nurse and auxiliary nurse. The study is based on occupational accidents reported to the Swedish Occupational Injury System. The subjects age, number of years in present occupation, experience of present work, sick leave, area where the accident occurred, main event and time of accident were studied. The nurses' aides had a relative risk of 6.0 for occupational accidents of the back compared to all other employed Swedish women. The major risk factor was lifting, which led to 84% of the accidents. The youngest women (18-24 yr), had the highest incidence of over-exertion accidents involving the back. The mean duration of sick leave was 59 days for the whole group (median 13 days). The length of sick leave increased with age.