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Occupational Injuries in Connecticut’s Young Working Population. Deborah A. Pease Occupational Health Program State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Introduction. In the United States… An estimated 2.1 million adolescents 16-17 years of age are employed
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Occupational Injuries in Connecticut’s Young Working Population Deborah A. Pease Occupational Health Program State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
Introduction • In the United States… • An estimated 2.1 million adolescents 16-17 years of age are employed • NIOSH estimates that 200,000 teens aged 14-17 are injured on the job every year • 60-70 teens die from work-related injuries, hundreds require hospitalization and thousands require emergency room visits
Background • Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) data for young workers in Connecticut has not been analyzed in over ten years • Lack of data makes it difficult to identify high-risk and/or specific areas of concern • Limited # of data sources available • Injury prevention initiatives • CT Young Worker Safety Team
Workers’ Compensation Data • Employer’s First Report of Occupational Injury and Illness • How did we get this information? • History of using this data • Clinic’s Bill • Key personnel
Overview • Injury Claims were obtained from WCC • 1997-2001 • 14-17 years of age • 1,418 reports used for analysis • Demographic, cross tabs and temporal analyses for injury, industry, and occupation
Limitations • Data may be incomplete for 2001 • Specific denominator data for this age group could not be obtained • WCC data does not capture all occupational injuries • Information under reported by employers • Not mandated/Fear of higher insurance costs
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Gender and Year, Connecticut, 1997-2001 416 296 297 266 143 (Gender was unknown for 17 records)
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Age and Year, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=1418
Percentage Year of Injury Percentage of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Age and Year of Injury, Connecticut, 1997-2001 177 188 88 249 179 167 118 55 108 89
Distribution of Reported Injury Types among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=1418
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Injury Type and Age, Connecticut, 1997-2001
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Injury Type and Gender, Connecticut, 1997-2001 (Gender was unknown for 17 records).
Distribution of Reported Injuries to Young Workers by Selected Industry Types, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=1418
Distribution of Reported Injuries in Eating and Drinking Places among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=339
Distribution of Reported Injuries in General Merchandise Stores among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=182
Distribution of Reported Injuries in Food Stores among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=163
Distribution of Reported Injuries in Health Services among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=95
Distribution of Reported Injuries in General Government among Young Workers, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=84
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Industry Type and Gender, Connecticut, 1997-2001 (Gender was unknown for 17 records).
Distribution of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Occupation Types, Connecticut, 1997-2001 n=1418
Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Occupation Type and Gender, Connecticut, 1997-2001 (Gender was unknown for 17 records).
Conclusions • Young workers are suffering from occupational injuries in Connecticut, despite the existence of regulations designed to protect them. • Comprehensive data sources for young worker injuries in the state are lacking.
Conclusions • Need for intervention strategies based upon surveillance data • Males ↑ • Lacerations ↑ • Sprains & strains ↑ • Eating and drinking places (i.e. restaurants) 2x ↑
Next Steps • Denominator data needed for rate calculations with WCC • Verify 2001 data with WCC • Add 2002 data • Capture-recapture analysis with data from Department of Labor and/or Emergency Department data
Next Steps • Encourage and implement educational programs to train young workers about potential occupational hazards • Possible solutions: • modifying the environment, • use of appropriate protective equipment, • age-appropriate training and supervision, and • increased enforcement of the child labor laws should be considered