Citation

Zaloshnja E, Miller TR, Hendrie D, Galvin D. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006; 50(2): 136-142.

Affiliation

Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, Maryland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.20425

PMID

17187380

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study estimates the annual cost of alcohol-related injuries to employers in 1998-2000. METHODS: Incidence was estimated with occupational injury data, motor vehicle crash data and health care data for 1998-2000. Employer costs were estimated from federal estimates of injury costs by source of payment using data on the percentage of varied payment streams (e.g., health insurance, sick leave) paid by employers. RESULTS: The annual employer cost of alcohol-related injuries to employees and their dependents exceed $28.6 billion. Out of this, $13.2 billion comes from job-related, alcohol-involved injuries. The annual employer cost of motor vehicle crashes in which at least one driver was alcohol-impaired is over $9.2 billion. Out of this, only $3.4 billion comes from job-related alcohol involvement. CONCLUSION: Safety programs can reduce the fringe benefit bill without reducing the benefits offered to employees.

Language: en