TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Analysis of workers' compensation claims data for machine-related injuries in metal fabrication businesses
JO  - American journal of industrial medicine
A1  - Brosseau, Lisa M.
A1  - Xi, Min
A1  - Parker, David L.
A1  - Bejan, Anca
A1  - Yamin, Samuel C.
SP  - 656
EP  - 664
VL  - 59
IS  - 8
N2  - BACKGROUND: Metal fabrication workers are at high risk for machine-related injury. Apart from amputations, data on factors contributing to this problem are generally absent. <br><br>METHODS: Narrative text analysis was performed on workers' compensation claims in order to identify machine-related injuries and determine work tasks involved. Data were further evaluated on the basis of cost per claim, nature of injury, and part of body. <br><br>RESULTS: From an initial set of 4,268 claims, 1,053 were classified as machine-related. Frequently identified tasks included machine operation (31%), workpiece handling (20%), setup/adjustment (15%), and removing chips (12%). Lacerations to finger(s), hand, or thumb comprised 38% of machine-related injuries; foreign body in the eye accounted for 20%. Amputations were relatively rare but had highest costs per claim (mean $21,059; median $11,998). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations, workers' compensation data were useful in characterizing machine-related injuries. Improving the quality of data collected by insurers would enhance occupational injury surveillance and prevention efforts. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.<br><br>© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0271-3586
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22603
ID  - ref1
ER  -