Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
General characteristics from the survey include:
Men had more than twice as many work-related injuries and illnesses involving work days as women. This is because more men are employed in hazardous occupations such as transportation or construction.
Women did experience more work-related injuries and illnesses than men in the services industry. Men are more likely to be injured in the other service-producing industries such as transportation and public utilities, wholesale trade, retail and finance, insurance and real estate.
Workers in the 25-34 age group had the most injuries and illnesses at 34 percent, followed by the 35-44 age group at 25 percent.
Sprains and strains accounted for over 21,000 of the 49,888 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that required recuperation away from work.
Contact with objects and equipment accounted 30 percent of lost work days, followed by overexertion at 29 percent.
Operators, fabricators and laborers experienced the largest number of injuries and illnesses - 38 percent, followed by precision production, craft and repair workers - 19 percent. Workers in farming, forestry and fishing occupations had the fewest incidents - 2 percent.
The source of most injuries and illnesses was containers - 15 percent, followed by floors, walkways and ground surfaces.
These observations come from the 1992 Revised Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses provided by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
For additional information, call Jennifer Wester, (804) 786-6427.
by CNB