A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia

Occupational falls are one of the leading causes of occupational injury and death internationally. This study described the nature of occupational falls following an analysis of workers compensation data in Western Australia. Frequencies, proportions and incidence rates were calculated following mec...

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Main Authors: Mangharam, J., Moorin, Rachael, Straker, Leon
Format: Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43872
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author Mangharam, J.
Moorin, Rachael
Straker, Leon
author_facet Mangharam, J.
Moorin, Rachael
Straker, Leon
author_sort Mangharam, J.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Occupational falls are one of the leading causes of occupational injury and death internationally. This study described the nature of occupational falls following an analysis of workers compensation data in Western Australia. Frequencies, proportions and incidence rates were calculated following mechanism, gender, age and industry stratification. The natures of injury and bodily locations affected were compared between mechanisms of fall. Industry incidence rates were ranked and their corresponding proportions reported. Cost and lost time were described and risk scores for each burden type (incapacity, cost and lost time) were calculated and compared between fall mechanisms. Of all occupational falls, the proportion, incidence rates and risk scores of falls on same level were consistently greater compared to falls from a height. Gender, age and industry groups that appear to be at highest risk vary with the measure used and mechanism of incident. This study translates epidemiological information into a risk score that can aid in prioritisation. Practitioner Summary: This paper presents an in-depth analysis of Worker’s Compensation claims for falls in Western Australia. Calculated proportion, incidence rates and formulated risk scores for falls on the level were consistently greater compared to falls from a height. Limitations associated with the analysis of large-scale data-sets are described.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-438722017-09-13T13:42:26Z A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia Mangharam, J. Moorin, Rachael Straker, Leon Occupational falls are one of the leading causes of occupational injury and death internationally. This study described the nature of occupational falls following an analysis of workers compensation data in Western Australia. Frequencies, proportions and incidence rates were calculated following mechanism, gender, age and industry stratification. The natures of injury and bodily locations affected were compared between mechanisms of fall. Industry incidence rates were ranked and their corresponding proportions reported. Cost and lost time were described and risk scores for each burden type (incapacity, cost and lost time) were calculated and compared between fall mechanisms. Of all occupational falls, the proportion, incidence rates and risk scores of falls on same level were consistently greater compared to falls from a height. Gender, age and industry groups that appear to be at highest risk vary with the measure used and mechanism of incident. This study translates epidemiological information into a risk score that can aid in prioritisation. Practitioner Summary: This paper presents an in-depth analysis of Worker’s Compensation claims for falls in Western Australia. Calculated proportion, incidence rates and formulated risk scores for falls on the level were consistently greater compared to falls from a height. Limitations associated with the analysis of large-scale data-sets are described. 2016 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43872 10.1080/00140139.2016.1161244 Taylor & Francis restricted
spellingShingle Mangharam, J.
Moorin, Rachael
Straker, Leon
A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title_full A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title_fullStr A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title_full_unstemmed A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title_short A comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in Australia
title_sort comparison of the burden and resultant risk associated with occupational falls from a height and on the same level in australia
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43872