TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2005//
TI  - Assessment of occupational eye injury risk and severity: An analysis of Rhode Island workers' compensation data 1998-2002
JO  - American journal of industrial medicine
A1  - McCall, Brian P.
A1  - Horwitz, Irwin B.
SP  - 45
EP  - 53
VL  - 49
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Occupational eye injuries have been recognized as a serious health risk to workers and are in need of further investigation to develop effective interventions. METHODS: Rhode Island workers' compensation claims of ocular injury between 1998 through 2002 (n = 8,877) were examined. The Current Population Survey was used to estimate occupational employment levels as a baseline for rate calculations. RESULTS: The estimated ocular injury claim rate was 32.9 per 10,000 workers (95% CI = 32.3-33.6), with the cost of claims totaling $1,514,666 and averaging $171 per claim. The highest estimated claim rate of all occupations was found for construction laborers of 373.7 per 10,000 workers (95% CI = 267.1-480.3). Relative to the durable manufacturing industry, the highest risk of injury resulting in disability indemnification was the wholesale trade industry (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.19-4.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Many of the eye injuries reported were likely preventable. Greater diligence, training, and safety precautions are needed to reduce the risk of eye injury to employees.
LA  - 
SN  - 0271-3586
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20234
ID  - ref1
ER  -