Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care?

Ashley L Schoenfisch; Hester J Lipscomb; Stephen W Marshall; Carri Casteel; David B Richardson; M Alan Brookhart; Wilfrid Cameron

doi:10.1002/ajim.22240

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Journal article

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Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care?

Ashley L Schoenfisch, Hester J Lipscomb, Stephen W Marshall, Carri Casteel, David B Richardson, M Alan Brookhart and Wilfrid Cameron

American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.57(2), pp.184-194

02/2014

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22240

PMID: 24038384

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Abstract

Construction workers are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal back disorders, and research suggests medical care and costs associated with these conditions may be covered by sources other than workers' compensation (WC). Little is known about the back injury experience and care seeking behavior among drywall installers, a high-risk workgroup regularly exposed to repetitive activities, awkward postures, and handling heavy building materials. Among a cohort of 24,830 Washington State union carpenters (1989-2008), including 5,073 drywall installers, we identified WC claims, visits for health care covered through union-provided health insurance and time at risk. Rates of work-related overexertion back injuries (defined using WC claims data) and health care utilization for musculoskeletal back disorders covered by private health insurance were examined and contrasted over time and by worker characteristics, stratified by type of work (drywall installation, other carpentry). Drywall installers' work-related overexertion back injury rates exceeded those of other carpenters (adjusted IRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.48-1.78). For both carpentry groups, rates declined significantly over time. In contrast, rates of private healthcare utilization for musculoskeletal back disorders were similar for drywall installers compared to other carpenters; they increased over time (after the mid-1990s), with increasing years in the union, and with increasing numbers of work-related overexertion back injuries. Observed declines over time in the rate of work-related overexertion back injury, as based on WC claims data, is encouraging. However, results add to the growing literature suggesting care for work-related conditions may be being sought outside of the WC system.

Occupational Health

Safety

Humans

Middle Aged

Male

Labor Unions - statistics & numerical data

Back Injuries - therapy

Occupational Injuries - epidemiology

Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data

Health Services - utilization

Insurance, Health - statistics & numerical data

Washington - epidemiology

Construction Industry

Workers' Compensation - statistics & numerical data

Young Adult

Lifting - adverse effects

Occupational Injuries - therapy

Adult

Female

Sprains and Strains - epidemiology

Back Injuries - epidemiology

Sprains and Strains - therapy

Details

Title: Subtitle: Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care?
Creators: Ashley L Schoenfisch - Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Hester J Lipscomb
Stephen W Marshall
Carri Casteel
David B Richardson - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M Alan Brookhart
Wilfrid Cameron
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.57(2), pp.184-194
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22240
PMID: 24038384
NLM abbreviation: Am J Ind Med
ISSN: 0271-3586
eISSN: 1097-0274
Publisher: United States
Grant note: 1U600H009761 / PHS HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2014
Academic Unit: Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9983997304402771

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