Citation

Lipscomb HJ, Schoenfisch AL, Cameron W, Kucera KL, Adams D, Silverstein BA. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2014; 57(9): 984-991.

Affiliation

Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22339

PMID

24771631

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls from height (FFH) are a longstanding, serious problem in construction.

METHODS: We report workers' compensation (WC) payments associated with FFH among a cohort (n = 24,830; 1989-2008) of carpenters. Mean/median payments, cost rates, and adjusted rate ratios based on hours worked were calculated using negative-binomial regression.

RESULTS: Over the 20-year period FFH accounted for $66.6 million in WC payments or $700 per year for each fulltime equivalent (2,000 hr of work). FFH were responsible for 5.5% of injuries but 15.1% of costs. Cost declines were observed, but not monotonically. Reductions were more pronounced for indemnity than medical care. Mean costs were 2.3 times greater among carpenters over 50 than those under 30; cost rates were only modestly higher.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant progress has been made in reducing WC payments associated with FFH in this cohort particularly through 1996; primary gains reflect reduction in frequency of falls. FFH that occur remain costly. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en