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TRANSCRIPT
BLS 729
Characteristicsof
Work-RelatedInjuries and
Illnessesin Maine
2002
Characteristics of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine, 2002, Highlights
In 2002, there was a 6.1% decrease in Workers’ Compensation First Reports of disabling injuries and illnesses (cases in which the employee lost at least one day of work beyond the day of injury or illness), from 16,890 cases in 2001 to 15,854. This continues a decline from a recent high of 17,263 in the year 2000.
25% of all reports originated in just six Industries. In descending order, they were: elementary and secondary schools; general medical and surgical hospitals; grocery stores; eating places; and ship building and repairing.
21% of all reports applied to only four Occupations. They were, in descending order: nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; truck drivers; laborers, except construction; and janitors and cleaners.
35% of reported disabling cases occurred to workers of age 45 or older.
35% of reported disabling cases occurred to workers with less than one year’s experience with their current employer. 48% involved employees with less than two years experience.
19% of all reports identified bodily motion/position of injured worker as the Source of the disabling injury or illness.
29% of all reported disabling cases listed overexertion of one type or another (lifting, pulling, pushing, etc.) as the Event that accounted for the injury or illness.
32% of all cases involving days away from work reported the Nature of the injury or illness as sprains, strains, or tears.
20% of the cases examined here gave the back as the Part of body affected.
High occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in the Maine workplace is evident from both the ways in which workers were reportedly injured (Source and Event) and the reported injuries themselves (Nature and Part of body).
STA TE O F MA INE DEPARTMEN T O F LAB OR
BUREAU OF LABOR STANDARDS 45 STATE HOUSE STA TION
AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0045
LAURA A. FORTMAN
COMMISSIONER
JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI WILLIAM A. PEABODY
GOVERNOR DIRECTOR
Characteristics of
Work-related Injuries and
Illnesses in Maine
2002
Theodore E. Bradstreet, Planning and Research Associate Steven P. Laundrie, Statistician
September 2004 Augusta, Maine
Material in this publication is in the public domain and may, with appropriate credit, be reproduced without permission.
The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity employment and programs.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Telephone: (207) 624-6400 TTY: (207) 624-6003 Fax: (207) 624-6449
This publication is available at: www.maine.gov/labor/bls/charwork.htm
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CONTENTS
Page Background and Definitions Background .......................................................................................................................1 Definitions.........................................................................................................................2 Summary............................................................................................................................................4 Section 1: Overall Trend of First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease .......................6 Section 2: The Most Frequently Reported Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and
Illnesses Overview ...........................................................................................................................7 Industry..............................................................................................................................7 Occupation of Injured Worker ..........................................................................................8 Nature of Injury or Illness .................................................................................................9 Event or Exposure ...........................................................................................................10 Source of Injury or Illness...............................................................................................11 Part of Body Affected .....................................................................................................12 Age of Injured Worker ....................................................................................................13 Length of Service of Injured Worker ..............................................................................14 Section 3: The Five Industries with Highest Number of Reported Disabling Cases Overview .........................................................................................................................15 Elementary and Secondary Schools (SIC 8211) .............................................................18 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (SIC 8062) ......................................................20 Grocery Stores (SIC 5411)..............................................................................................22 Eating Places (SIC 5812) ................................................................................................24 Ship Building and Repairing (SIC 3731) ........................................................................26 Section 4: The Five Occupations with Highest Number of Reported Disabling Cases Overview .........................................................................................................................29 Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants.......................................................................32 Truck Drivers ..................................................................................................................34 Laborers, Except Construction........................................................................................36 Janitors and Cleaners.......................................................................................................38 Construction Laborers .....................................................................................................40 Section 5: The Five Natures of Injury or Illness Most Often Reported Overview .........................................................................................................................43 Sprains, Strains, Tears.....................................................................................................46 Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back ............................................................................48 Back Pain, Hurt Back ......................................................................................................50 Bruises, Contusions.........................................................................................................52 Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, Unspecified...............................................................54 Section 6: The Five Events or Exposures Most Often Reported Overview .........................................................................................................................57 Overexertion in Lifting....................................................................................................60 Fall to Floor, Walkway, or Other Surface.......................................................................62 Overexertion, Unspecified ..............................................................................................64
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Overexertion in Pulling/Pushing Objects........................................................................66 Bending/Climbing/Crawling/Reaching/Twisting ...........................................................68 Section 7: The Five Sources of Injury or Illness Most Often Reported Overview .........................................................................................................................71 Bodily Motion/Position of Injured Worker.....................................................................74 Nonclassifiable ................................................................................................................76 Floor of Building.............................................................................................................78 Health Care Patient/Resident of Health Care Facility.....................................................80 Boxes, Crates, Cartons ....................................................................................................82 Section 8: Occupational Injury and Illness Data Profiles ....................................................84 Sample Profile .................................................................................................................86
TABLES 2-1: Top Ten Industries of Injured Worker..................................................................................7 2-2: Top Ten Occupations of Injured Worker..............................................................................8 2-3: Top Ten Natures of Injury or Illness ....................................................................................9 2-4: Top Ten Events or Exposures.............................................................................................10 2-5: Top Ten Sources of Injury or Illness ..................................................................................11 2-6: Top Ten Parts of Body Affected.........................................................................................12 2-7: Ten Age Categories ............................................................................................................13 2-8: Eight Length of Service Categories ....................................................................................14 3-1: Top 5 Industries for 2002 with Top 5 Occupations, Natures, Parts, Sources, and Events for
each Industry ........................................................................................................................16 3-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Elementary and Secondary Schools................18 3-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals ........20 3-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Grocery Stores ................................................22 3-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Eating Places...................................................24 3-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Ship Building and Repairing...........................26 4-1: Top 5 Occupations for 2002 with Top 5 Natures, Events, Sources, Parts and Age Groups
and Length-of-Service Categories for each Occupation ......................................................30 4-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants ......32 4-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Truck Drivers..................................................34 4-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Laborers, Except Construction .......................36 4-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Janitors and Cleaners ......................................38 4-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Construction Laborers ....................................40 5-1: Top 5 Natures for 2002 with Top 5 Occupations, Parts, Sources, Events, and Age Groups
and Length-of-Service Categories for Each Nature.............................................................44 5-2: Characteristics of Sprains, Strains, Tears ...........................................................................46 5-3: Characteristics of Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back ..................................................48 5-4: Characteristics of Back Pain, Hurt Back ............................................................................50 5-5: Characteristics of Bruises, Contusions ...............................................................................52 5-6: Characteristics of Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, Unspecified .....................................54 6-1: Top 5 Events for 2002 with Top 5 Occupations, Natures, Sources, Parts, and Age Groups
and Length-of-Service Categories for Each Event ..............................................................58
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6-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion in Lifting ...........................60 6-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Fall to Floor, Walkway, or Other Surface... .........................................................................................................................................62 6-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion, Unspecified ......................64 6-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion in Pulling/Pushing Objects66 6-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Bending/Climbing/Crawling/Reaching/
Twisting ...............................................................................................................................68 7-1: Top 5 Sources for 2002 with Top 5 Occupations, Natures, Parts and Age Groups and
Length-of-Service Categories for Each Source ...................................................................72 7-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Bodily Motion/Position of Injured Worker.
.........................................................................................................................................74 7-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Nonclassifiable Sources ..........................76 7-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Floor of Building.....................................78 7-5: Characteristics of Injuries and illnesses Due to Health Care Patient/Resident of Health
Care Facility.........................................................................................................................80 7-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Boxes, Crates, Cartons ............................82 8-1: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Age ........................................86 8-2: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Nature of Injury or Illness .....87 8-3: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Part of Body ..........................88 8-4: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Source of Injury or Illness.....89 8-5: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Event Leading to Injury or
Illness ...................................................................................................................................91 8-6: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Length of Service of Injured
Worker .................................................................................................................................92 8-7: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Day of the Week of Injury or
Illness ...................................................................................................................................92 8-8: Janitors and Cleaners in Schools in Cumberland County – Month of Injury or Illness .....93
FIGURES 1-1: Twenty-Year Comparison of Disabling FROI Annual Totals..............................................6 3-1: Occupations – Elementary and Secondary Schools (761 Disabling FROI) .......................19 3-2: Occupations – General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (736 Disabling FROI) ................21 3-3: Occupations – Grocery Stores (718 Disabling FROI) ........................................................23 3-4: Occupations – Eating Places (641 Disabling FROI) ..........................................................25 3-5: Occupations – Ship Building and Repairing (601 Disabling FROI) ..................................27 4-1: Events – Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants (959 Disabling FROI) .......................33 4-2: Events – Truck Drivers (866 Disabling FROI)...................................................................35 4-3: Events – Laborers, Except Construction (849 Disabling FROI) ........................................37 4-4: Events – Janitors and Cleaners (663 Disabling FROI) .......................................................39 4-5: Events – Construction Laborers (415 Disabling FROI) .....................................................41 5-1: Occupations – Sprains, Strains, Tears (5000 Disabling FROI) ..........................................47 5-2: Occupations – Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back (2512 Disabling FROI) .................49 5-3: Occupations – Back Pain, Hurt Back (1338 Disabling FROI) ...........................................51 5-4: Occupations – Bruises, Contusions (1045 Disabling FROI) ..............................................53
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5-5: Occupations – Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, UNS (831 Disabling FROI) .................55 6-1: Occupations – Overexertion in Lifting (2518 Disabling FROI).........................................61 6-2: Occupations – Fall to Floor, Walkway, or Other Surface (1459 Disabling FROI) ............63 6-3: Occupations – Overexertion, UNS (776 Disabling FROI) .................................................65 6-4: Occupations – Overexertion in Pulling/Pushing Objects (698 Disabling FROI) ...............67 6-5: Occupations – Bending/Climbing/Crawling/Reaching/Twisting (591 Disabling FROI)...69 7-1: Occupations – Bodily Motion/Position of Injured Worker (3010 Disabling FROI) ..........75 7-2: Occupations – Nonclassifiable Sources (1223 Disabling FROI)........................................77 7-3: Occupations – Floor of Building (796 Disabling FROI) ....................................................79 7-4: Occupations – Health Care Patient/Resident of Health Care Facility (782 Disabling FROI) ..........................................................................................................81 7-5: Occupations – Boxes, Crates, Cartons (641 Disabling FROI) ...........................................83
BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS Background Under the authority of Title 26 MRSA § 42-A, the Maine Department of Labor Research and Statistics Unit collects and compiles data on workplace injuries and illnesses. An important source of this information is the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease (FROI) and related paperwork as submitted by employers or their insurers to the WCB to process claims and meet the requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Law. These documents capture a broad range of information about any reported work-related injury or illness. The Unit codes WCB data about each case of injury or illness resulting in at least one day away from work beyond the day of injury (a disabling case) directly onto the WCB database via on-line connection. At least once a month, WCB data are downloaded to a data warehouse where they are available to respond to specific queries, generally by cross-tabulation with other related information. This report examines the WCB disabling-case data for the year 2002 in terms of the following eight characteristics of injury or illness: (1) Industry, (2) Occupation of injured worker, (3) Nature of injury or illness, (4) Event or exposure, (5) Source of injury or illness, (6) Part of body affected, (7) Age of the injured worker and (8) Length of service of the injured worker (all as defined below). The reasons for examining these characteristics are as follows: 1) The analysis provides full answers to the “where” (Industry), “who” (Occupation, Age, and Length of service of the injured worker), “how” (Event or exposure and Source of injury or illness), and “what” (Nature of injury or illness and Part of body affected) questions about occupational injuries and illnesses sustained by Maine workers in 2002. 2) This report is meant to serve as an example of queries possible with this data source. Each WCB file contains detailed data about the employee, the employer, the incident and the associated Workers’ Compensation claim beyond what is used here. General information is in the public domain but the release of employee-specific information must be approved by the WCB. This means that case characteristic information can be generated for an individual company, or groups of companies or of cases, rather than the statewide approach of this report. This report is intended to encourage requests for specific inquiries using the WCB data to improve occupational safety and health in Maine workplaces. There are certain limitations to such inquiry, including this report, as follows: 1) The WCB data are not comparable to data generated by the federal Bureau of Labor
Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) because:
a. The definitions of “recordable case” under OSHA (used by SOII) and the WCB are different from one another. Injuries or illnesses that are recordable by WCB standards may not be recordable by OSHA standards and vice versa.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 2
b. Annual average numbers of employees and total hours worked per employer are not collected by the WCB. This means that incidence rates cannot be produced for the WCB data.
2) Workers' Compensation laws vary from state to state, making comparisons among states
difficult. 3) The consistency of the coding is subject to the individual coder’s interpretation.
4) Perhaps most importantly, the quality of the data is subject to the quality of answers
provided on the First Reports. These reports are to be filed within 7 days of an employer learning about a case, and complete information is not always available at that point. Completion/correction is possible, and in some cases required, but the WCB has no systematic means of verifying compliance.
5) Lastly, since 1993, only disabling cases have been coded. This means that cases with
job transfer or job restriction but no lost time cannot be examined at this time. Definitions The following is an alphabetical list of definitions of terms and abbreviations used in this report. Age of injured worker: the age of the injured worker at the time of injury, calculated from the worker’s date of birth and the date of injury. Disabling: resulting in at least one day away from work beyond the day of injury or illness. Event or exposure: the manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted by the Source of the injury or illness. FROI: First Report(s) of Occupational Injury or Disease, the standard form on which an employer or employer’s representative makes initial report to the WCB of an occupational injury or illness affecting one of its workers. For the purposes of this report, this includes reports of disabling cases only. Industry: the business in which the injured worker was actually employed at the time of injury or illness. Length of service of the injured worker: the injured worker’s length of service with the employer at the time of injury or illness, calculated from date of hire and date of injury or illness. Date of hire is not always available. Maine Occupational Research Agenda (MORA): An occupational safety and health research agenda modeled on the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and managed by the MORA Steering Committee.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
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Nature of injury or illness: the principal physical characteristic(s) of the injury or illness. Nonclassifiable: insufficient data to allow classification. Not elsewhere classifiable (NEC): not classifiable among other standard classifications. Occupation of injured worker: the occupation in which the injured worker was actually engaged at the time of injury or illness (this may not be the worker’s regular occupation or job class). Part of body affected: the part(s) of the injured worker’s body directly affected by the Nature of the injury or illness. SIC: Standard Industrial Classification code. A four-digit code assigned to an employer to classify the establishment by the type of activity in which it is engaged. Source of injury or illness: the object, substance, bodily motion, or work environment that directly produced or inflicted the injury or illness. Unspecified (UNS): insufficient data for more detailed classification. WCB: Maine Workers’ Compensation Board.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
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SUMMARY Reports of work-related injuries and illnesses that cost the worker time away from work declined slightly in 2002, from 16,890 cases in 2001 to 15,854, a 6.1% decrease. This continues a decline from a recent high of 17,263 in the year 2000. As to where Maine workers were injured, the six Industries that recorded the highest frequencies of disabling-case First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease (FROI) in 2002 stand out above all others for that year. Together, these six accounted for 25.2% (3,999 cases) of all 2002 disabling FROI. They were, in descending order: elementary and secondary schools (SIC 8211); general medical and surgical hospitals (SIC 8062); grocery stores (SIC 5411); eating places (SIC 5812); ship building and repairing (SIC 3731); and skilled nursing care facilities (SIC 8051). Five of these six are service or retail Industries. Workers injured were examined in terms of three characteristics, Occupation, Age, and Length of Service of the injured worker. The four Occupations that filed the highest numbers of disabling FROI in 2002 likewise stood out above all other Occupations. They were, in descending order: nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; truck drivers; laborers, except construction; and janitors and cleaners. These four Occupations accounted for 21% (3,337 cases) of all 2002 disabling FROI. Janitors and cleaners were a particularly high proportion of reported injured workers in elementary and secondary schools (25.8%, 196 cases), indicating a need for further study of that Occupation within that Industry. While the top ranking Age group varied somewhat with Occupation, overall the 35-44 years group produced the most disabling-case reports, with 27.8% (4,400 cases) of all 2002 FROI. Of note is the fact that the 45-54 years group ranked second and workers over 45 years of age filed 35.3% (5,596 cases) of all disabling-case reports (53.7%, or 356 cases, among janitors and cleaners). In comparison, workers under 35 years of age filed 36.9% (5,858 cases). The proportion of FROI originating with older workers therefore seems high. By far the leading Length-of-Service group was under one year. The mechanism of worker injury or illness was examined through two characteristics, Source of injury or illness, and Event or exposure. Overall, the leading Source by far was the bodily motion or position of the injured worker. This Source was identified in 19% of all 2002 disabling FROI. It produced 3,010 FROI; nearly triple the second-ranking Source and five to six times the frequencies shown by most of the top ten Sources. There were important exceptions by Occupation, however, notably among nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants. Health care patient or resident of health care facility was the Source of 56.2% (539 cases) of disabling injuries and illnesses reported from that Occupation. Of injuries and illnesses from this Source, 46.2% (361 cases) affected the back and the top-ranking Age group impacted by this Source was 45-54 years. The two highest-ranking Events or exposures stood out well above all others. Overexertion in lifting, the first ranked, appeared in 15.9% of all 2002 FROI (2,518 cases), and had nearly double the frequency of FROI of the second-ranked, fall to floor, walkway, or other surface. Four of the top ten Events involved overexertion and, taken together, accounted for 28.7% of
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 5
all 2002 disabling FROI (4,554 cases). Events of this type are known to produce a high frequency of musculoskeletal injuries. The kinds of injuries and illnesses reported by Maine workers are described through two characteristics, Nature of injury or illness, and Part of body affected. The highest-ranking Nature, sprains, strains, tears, was reported in 5000 FROI in 2002, more than any other characteristic examined here. By itself, it accounted for 31.5% of all 2002 disabling claims. The top three Natures - sprains, strains, tears; soreness, pain, hurt, except the back; and back pain, hurt back – stand out above the lower-ranked Natures and are all musculoskeletal. This makes it clear that musculoskeletal injuries dominated 2002 workplace injuries and illnesses in Maine. The Part of body affected varied considerably. Of note however is the fact that first-ranked lumbar region and third-ranked back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified, when combined accounted for over 20% of all reported disabling cases (3,321 FROI). This outcome suggests a connection between back injuries and overexertion in lifting discussed under “Event” above. Areas that could bear further study are:
• Injuries and illnesses of truck drivers.
• Causes of injury to janitors and cleaners in elementary and secondary schools.
• The age distribution of injuries and illnesses of janitors and cleaners in general.
• Why “new hires” appear to be at much higher risk of injury or illness.
• Reducing the number of injuries and illnesses with the Source identified as bodily motion/position of injured worker.
• Reducing the number of injuries to nursing aides, orderlies and attendants due to health
care patients or resident of health of care facilities.
• Reducing the frequency of overexertion-in-lifting incidents.
• Causes and preventative measures for musculoskeletal disorders.
• Injuries and illnesses of workers age 45 and older.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 6
SECTION 1: OVERALL TREND OF FIRST REPORTS OF OCCUPATIONAL INJURY OR DISEASE
There were 15,854 disabling cases reported in 2002, a 6.1% decrease from the 16,890 disabling cases in 2001, as shown in Figure 1-1. This change is a continuation of a decline from a recent high point of 17,263 disabling cases in calendar year 2000. Figure 1-1 below shows the number of disabling work-related injuries and illness for the last 20 years as reported on First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease (FROI). FIGURE 1-1: Twenty-Year Comparison of Disabling FROI Annual Totals
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Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 7
SECTION 2: THE MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK-RELATED
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES Overview This section provides a broad view of the most-reported characteristics of work-related injury and illness for 2002. It details information about six standard characteristics of occupational injury or illness, Industry, Occupation, Nature of injury or illness, Event or exposure, Source of injury or illness, and Part of body affected (Tables 2-1 through 2-6). Within each characteristic, this section examines the ten categories that recorded the highest frequencies of disabling case First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease (FROI) in 2002. The categories are listed in descending order under each characteristic. The top five categories for each characteristic will be examined in detail in later sections of this report. Age of the injured worker and Length of Service are also examined here. For all characteristics, the total number of disabling FROI for 2002 was 15,845. Industry Industry describes the kind of business in which the injured worker’s employer was engaged. Table 2-1 presents the ten Industries (characterized by four-digit Standard Industrial Classification, or SIC, code) reporting the highest frequency of disabling FROI for 2002. Together, these ten Industries accounted for 32.7% of the total disabling FROI filed in 2002. Among the ten Industries were one manufacturing and one construction Industry, the remaining eight being service or retail Industries.
TABLE 2-1: Top Ten Industries of Injured Worker
Rank Industry of Injured Worker FROI
1 Elementary and secondary schools 761 2 General medical and surgical hospitals 736 3 Grocery stores 718 4 Eating places 641 5 Ship building and repairing 601 6 Skilled nursing care facilities 542 7 Highway and street construction 301 8 Individual and family social services 297 9 Residential care 292 10 Department stores 288
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 8
Occupation of Injured Worker Occupation describes the type of job held by the worker at the time of the injury or illness. The ten Occupations that recorded the highest frequencies of disabling FROI in 2002 are presented in Table 2-2. These ten Occupations taken together accounted for 34% of year 2002 FROI. The top four Occupations each produced considerably higher FROI counts than any of the lower six and are therefore expected to be important in the detailed analysis to follow.
TABLE 2-2: Top Ten Occupations of Injured Worker
Rank Occupation of Injured Worker FROI
1 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 959 2 Truck drivers 866 3 Laborers-except construction 849 4 Janitors and cleaners 663 5 Construction laborers 415 6 Carpenters 379 7 Kitchen workers, food preparation 364 8 Cashiers 308 9 Stock handlers and baggers 297 10 Freight/stock/material handlers, NEC 288 NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 9
Nature of Injury or Illness Nature of injury or illness identifies the principal physical characteristic(s) of the injury or illness. The top ten Natures listed in Table 2-3 were involved in 82.7% of all disabling cases reported in 2002. The number one Nature (sprains, strains, tears) accounted for 31.5% by itself and had nearly double the disabling FROI of the second ranked Nature (soreness, pain, hurt, except the back). The second ranked Nature, in turn, had nearly double the frequency of the third ranked. Thereafter, the decline in frequencies was less steep. Because the top three Natures are all musculoskeletal, it is clear that musculoskeletal injuries dominate workplace injuries and illnesses.
TABLE 2-3: Top Ten Natures of Injury or Illness
Rank Nature of Injury/Illness FROI
1 Sprains, strains, tears 5,000 2 Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 2,512 3 Back pain, hurt back 1,338 4 Bruises, contusions 1,045 5 Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 831 6 Cuts, lacerations 749 7 Fractures 718 8 Neurotic reaction to stress 371 9 Nonclassifiable 299 10 Carpal tunnel syndrome 190
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 10
Event or Exposure Event or exposure describes the manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted by the Source of injury or illness. While the top ten Events taken together represent 55.2% of all 2002 disabling FROI, the first ranked, overexertion in lifting, accounted for 15.9% by itself. Three more of the top ten Events involved overexertion and all four overexertion Events taken together totaled 4454 claims, or 28.7% of all FROI. Events of this type have been shown elsewhere to produce a high frequency of musculoskeletal injuries. Also of note, the second ranked Event (fall to floor, walkway or other surface) accounted for nearly twice the frequency of the third highest Event.
TABLE 2-4: Top Ten Events or Exposures
Rank Event of Injury/Illness FROI
1 Overexertion in lifting 2,518 2 Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 1,459 3 Overexertion, unspecified 776 4 Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 698 5 Bending/climbing/crawling/reaching/twisting 591 6 Nonclassifiable 591 7 Overexertion, NEC 562 8 Bodily conditions, NEC 547 9 Slip, trip, loss of balance-without fall 532 10 Repetitive motion, unspecified 474 NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 11
Source of Injury or Illness Source of injury or illness identifies the object, substance, bodily motion, or work environment which directly produced or inflicted the injury or illness. Table 2-5 lists the top ten Sources of occupational injuries and illnesses from 2002 FROI. These ten sources accounted for 55.5% of disabling cases. The leading Source of injury or illness, bodily motion/position of injured worker, accounted for 19% of all disabling FROI for 2002. This was almost three times as high as the second ranked Source, nonclassifiable.
TABLE 2-5: Top Ten Sources of Injury or Illness
Rank Source of Injury/Illness FROI
1 Bodily motion/position of injured worker 3,010 2 Nonclassifiable 1,223 3 Floor of building 796 4 Health care patient/resident of health care facility 782 5 Boxes, crates, cartons 641 6 Ground 555 7 Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 553 8 Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 532 9 Other sources, NEC 451 10 Person--other than injured/ill worker, NEC 255
NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 12
Part of Body Affected Part of body affected identifies the part of the body directly affected by the Nature of injury or illness. Over two thirds of all 2002 disabling FROI fell into these top ten Part categories. Of note, lumbar region, together with back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified, accounted for over 20% of all reported disabling cases. These data suggest a possible connection between back injuries and the high frequency of overexertion in lifting discussed under “Event” above.
TABLE 2-6: Top Ten Parts of Body Affected
Rank Part of Body FROI
1 Lumbar region 2,099 2 Multiple body parts 1,764 3 Back, including spine, spinal cord, UNS 1,222 4 Knee(s) 1,190 5 Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 1,038 6 Finger(s), fingernail(s) 892 7 Wrist(s) 749 8 Ankle(s) 711 9 Body Systems 680 10 Hand(s), except finger(s) 486
UNS = Unspecified, insufficient data for detailed classification.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 13
Age of Injured Worker For the purpose of this analysis, the ages of the workers reporting disabling injuries and illnesses in 2002 were broken down into ten inclusive Age categories, ranked according to the FROI generated by each (Table 2-7). The 40-44 year Age group ranked highest, with 14.2% of all year 2002 FROI, but four of the top five Age groups, covering the range from 30 to 49 years, were close to one another in frequencies of disabling cases and together accounted for 52.6% of all FROI. In fourth place, however, was the 19-24 years Age group with 12.3% of the total and widely separated from the under 19 and 25-29 year groups. Of note, 5596 reported disabling cases (35% of all 2002 FROI) involved employees of age 45 years or older. Workplace injuries and illnesses in an aging workforce are a research priority identified by MORA.
TABLE 2-7: Ten Age Categories.
Rank Age FROI
1 40-44 2,251 2 35-39 2,149 3 45-49 2,034 4 19-24 1,956 5 30-34 1,909 6 50-54 1,637 7 25-29 1,628 8 55-59 1,141 9 60 and above 784 10 Under 19 365
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 14
Length of Service of Injured Worker Length of Service of the injured worker represents the time in service with the particular employer by whom the worker was employed at the time of injury or illness. It does not necessarily represent the total experience of a worker in the Occupation in which the worker was injured. Length of Service of the injured worker was divided into eight inclusive Length-of-Service categories. Workers with two or less years of service with their employer accounted for nearly half of all disabling FROI in 2002, whereas workers with ten or more years of service with their employer accounted for a little over 20%. Length of service was not available for 444 cases in 2002 because the date of hire was not reported on the FROI.
TABLE 2-8: Eight Length-of-Service Categories
Rank Length of Service FROI
1 Under 1 Year 5,481 2 1 year to 2 years 2,052 3 5-9 years 1,726 4 3-4 years 1,657 5 10-14 years 1,504 6 2 years to 3 years 1,254 7 20 years and above 1,012 8 15-19 years 724
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 15
SECTION 3: THE FIVE INDUSTRIES WITH HIGHEST NUMBER OF REPORTED DISABLING CASES
Overview. The first characteristic to be discussed in detail is Industries in which disabling cases were reported to have occurred. Specifically, this section will present information on the five Industries with the highest reported frequencies of disabling case Maine Workers’ Compensation Board First Reports of Occupation Injury or Disease (FROI). Together, these five Industries accounted for 21.8% of all disabling cases reported for 2002. Table 3-1 lists the top five Industries in descending order by frequency of reported disabling-case FROI for 2002. The Industries are categorized at the four-digit level of SIC coding. One manufacturing Industry is listed, ship building and repairing (SIC 3731), in fifth place. Elementary and secondary schools (SIC 8211) had the highest frequency of reported disabling cases, followed by general medical and surgical hospitals (SIC 8062). For each Industry, the top five each of Occupation of the injured or ill worker, Nature of the injury or illness, Part of the body affected, Source of the injury or illness, and Event of the injury or illness are tabulated by the disabling case count and percentage for that Industry. The tabulated characteristics refer to that Industry as a whole, not to the other tabulated characteristics. For example, the 25.2% of Nature of injury or illness (sprains, strains, and tears) in the first row of the third column of Table 3-1 are NOT injuries and illnesses reported by janitors and cleaners only but by ALL Occupations within elementary and secondary schools, including those Occupations not listed. While differences in characteristics of injuries and illnesses between these top five Industries were considerable, there were elements shared in common.
• Sprains, strains, tears was by far the number one reported Nature of injury or illness for all top five Industries, averaging 31.6% of disabling FROI. Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back was also common to all five Industries under Nature and averaged 15.3%.
• As to the Source of injury or illness, bodily motion/position of injured worker averaged
20.6% and ranked first in four of the top five Industries and second in the fifth. It was the only Source in common among all five Industries
• Under Part of body affected, either lumbar region or back, unspecified always ranked at
least second, and the two combined averaged 17%. Multiple body parts also was always present among the top five Industries, averaging 11.2%.
• Overexertion in lifting ranked first to third in all five Industries, averaging 14.9% of
FROI. Events classified as “overexertion” and “repetitive motion” accounted for between 10% and 40% of each of the top five Industries’ disabling FROI. Research has shown that these events are significant factors contributing to such musculoskeletal disorders as sprains, strains and tears, soreness, back pains, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.
T
AB
LE
3-1
: T
op 5
Indu
stri
es fo
r 20
02 w
ith T
op 5
Occ
upat
ions
, Nat
ures
, Par
ts, S
ourc
es, a
nd E
vent
s for
eac
h In
dust
ry
IND
UST
RY
O
CC
UPA
TIO
N*
FROI
%
NA
TU
RE
*
FROI
%
PAR
T O
F B
OD
Y*
FROI
%
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
196
25.8
S
prai
ns, s
trai
ns, t
ears
19
225
.2
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
125
16.4
EL
EM
EN
TA
RY
AN
D
Ele
men
tary
scho
ol te
ache
rs
96
12.6
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
11
715
.4
Lum
bar r
egio
n 89
11.7
SEC
ON
DA
RY
B
us d
river
s 73
9.
6 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, U
NS
80
10.5
K
nee(
s)
597.
8
SCH
OO
LS
Spe
cial
edu
catio
n te
ache
rs
61
8.0
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
61
8.0
Bod
y Sy
stem
s 56
7.4
(761
FR
OI)
Sec
onda
ry sc
hool
teac
hers
57
7.
5 B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 60
7.
9 S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
455.
9
R
egis
tere
d nu
rses
16
322
.1
Spr
ains
, str
ains
, tea
rs
388
52.7
L
umba
r reg
ion
137
18.6
GE
NE
RA
L M
ED
ICA
L N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
13
718
.6
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
79
10.7
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 99
13.5
AN
D S
UR
GIC
AL
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
79
10.7
B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 55
7.
5 M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
73
9.9
HO
SPIT
AL
S H
ealth
tech
nolo
gist
s/te
chni
cian
s, N
EC
47
6.4
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
42
5.7
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
48
6.5
(736
FR
OI)
Mai
ds a
nd h
ouse
men
37
5.
0 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, U
NS
21
2.9
Kne
e(s)
46
6.3
S
tock
han
dler
s and
bag
gers
17
924
.9
Spr
ains
, str
ains
, tea
rs
213
29.7
L
umba
r reg
ion
108
15.0
K
itche
n w
orke
rs, f
ood
prep
arat
ion
107
14.9
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
13
518
.8
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
7410
.3
GR
OC
ER
Y S
TO
RE
S L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
101
14.1
T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, U
NS
67
9.3
Fin
ger(
s), f
inge
rnai
l(s)
689.
5
(718
FR
OI)
Cas
hier
s 99
13
.8
Cut
s, la
cera
tions
63
8.
8 S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
547.
5
S
uper
viso
rs/p
ropr
ieto
rs-s
ales
occ
upat
ion
66
9.2
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
56
7.8
Wris
t(s)
446.
1
K
itche
n w
orke
rs, f
ood
prep
arat
ion
178
27.8
S
prai
ns, s
trai
ns, t
ears
15
624
.3
Fin
ger(
s), f
inge
rnai
l(s)
103
16.1
C
ooks
15
724
.5
Cut
s, la
cera
tions
11
217
.5
Lum
bar r
egio
n 69
10.8
EA
TIN
G P
LA
CE
S W
aite
rs a
nd w
aitre
sses
74
11
.5
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
68
10.6
K
nee(
s)
619.
5
(641
FR
OI)
Mis
cella
neou
s foo
d pr
epar
atio
n oc
cup’
ns56
8.
7 H
eat b
urns
, sca
lds
65
10.1
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
53
8.3
M
anag
ers,
food
serv
ing/
lodg
ing
esta
blis
h38
5.
9 B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 55
8.
6 H
and(
s), e
xcep
t fin
ger(
s)
487.
5
W
elde
rs a
nd c
utte
rs
98
16.3
S
prai
ns, s
trai
ns, t
ears
15
726
.1
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
9415
.6
SHIP
BU
ILD
ING
L
ay-o
ut w
orke
rs
79
13.1
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
12
721
.1
Kne
e(s)
73
12.1
AN
D R
EPA
IRIN
G
Mis
cella
neou
s pre
cisi
on m
etal
wor
kers
73
12
.1
Sym
ptom
s inv
ner
vous
/mus
culo
skel
66
11
.0
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
6711
.1
(601
FR
OI)
Ele
ctric
ians
63
10
.5
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
54
9.0
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
37
6.2
P
lum
ber,
pipe
fitte
r, an
d st
eam
fitte
r 56
9.
3 B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 40
6.
7 N
eck,
exc
inte
rnal
loc
of d
isor
der
325.
3
* Th
ese
colu
mns
refe
r to
the
Indu
stry
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r det
aile
d cl
assi
ficat
ion.
NEC
= N
ot E
lsew
here
Cla
ssifi
able
, not
fitti
ng a
vaila
ble
clas
sific
atio
ns.
Non
clas
sifia
ble
= in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
fo
r cla
ssifi
catio
n
Con
tinue
d ne
xt p
age.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 16 Bureau of Labor Standards
T
AB
LE
3-1
, con
tinue
d
IND
UST
RY
SO
UR
CE
OF
INJU
RY
/IL
LN
ESS
*
FROI
%
EV
EN
T O
F IN
JUR
Y/I
LL
NE
SS*
FROI
%
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 12
7 16
.7
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
136
17.9
EL
EM
EN
TA
RY
AN
D
Flo
ors
64
8.4
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
95
12
.5
SEC
ON
DA
RY
P
erso
n--o
ther
than
inju
red/
ill w
orke
r, N
EC
56
7.4
Slip
, trip
, los
s of b
alan
ce-w
ithou
t fal
l 44
5.
8
SCH
OO
LS
Bod
ily c
ondi
tions
of i
njur
ed, i
ll w
orke
r 42
5.
5 B
odily
con
ditio
ns, N
EC
42
5.5
(761
FR
OI)
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, UN
S 38
5.
0 O
vere
xerti
on in
pul
ling/
push
ing
obje
cts
32
4.2
H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y 19
8 26
.9
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
16
522
.4
GE
NE
RA
L M
ED
ICA
L B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 14
2 19
.3
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
66
9.0
AN
D S
UR
GIC
AL
N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 57
7.
7 O
vere
xerti
on in
pul
ling/
push
ing
obje
cts
49
6.7
HO
SPIT
AL
S F
loor
of B
uild
ing
38
5.2
Ove
rexe
rtion
, uns
peci
fied
41
5.6
(736
FR
OI)
Bod
ily c
ondi
tions
of i
njur
ed, i
ll w
orke
r 20
2.
7 O
vere
xerti
on h
oldi
ng/c
arry
ing/
turn
ing/
wie
ldin
g ob
ject
40
5.
4
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 15
6 21
.7
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
14
620
.3
B
oxes
, cra
tes,
carto
ns
104
14.5
F
all t
o flo
or, w
alkw
ay o
r oth
er su
rfac
e 52
7.
2
GR
OC
ER
Y S
TO
RE
S F
loor
s 45
6.
3 O
vere
xerti
on, u
nspe
cifie
d 46
6.
4
(718
FR
OI)
Oth
er so
urce
s, N
EC
40
5.6
Ove
rexe
rtion
in p
ullin
g/pu
shin
g ob
ject
s 45
6.
3
N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 40
5.
6 R
epet
itive
pla
cing
/gra
spin
g/m
ovin
g ob
ject
exc
ept t
ool
34
4.7
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 10
1 15
.8
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
102
15.9
F
loor
of B
uild
ing
83
12.9
O
vere
xerti
on in
lifti
ng
69
10.8
EA
TIN
G P
LA
CE
S K
nive
s 57
8.
9 C
onta
ct w
ith h
ot o
bjec
ts o
r sub
stan
ces
64
10.0
(641
FR
OI)
Box
es, c
rate
s, ca
rtons
35
5.
5 S
truck
by
swin
ging
or s
lippi
ng o
bjec
t 50
7.
8
F
ats,
oils
24
3.
7 S
lip, t
rip, l
oss o
f bal
ance
-with
out f
all
42
6.6
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 17
6 29
.3
Non
clas
sifia
ble
56
9.3
SHIP
BU
ILD
ING
N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 84
14
.0
Ben
ding
/clim
bing
/cra
wlin
g/re
achi
ng/tw
istin
g 55
9.
2
AN
D R
EPA
IRIN
G
Bod
ily c
ondi
tions
of i
njur
ed, i
ll w
orke
r 25
4.
2 O
vere
xerti
on in
lifti
ng
51
8.5
(601
FR
OI)
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, UN
S 24
4.
0 S
truck
aga
inst
stat
iona
ry o
bjec
t 45
7.
5
O
ther
sour
ces,
NEC
22
3.
7 R
epet
itive
use
of t
ools
37
6.
2
T
hese
col
umns
refe
r to
the
Indu
stry
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l
Inju
ry o
r Dis
ease
. U
NS
= U
nspe
cifie
d, in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for d
etai
led
clas
sific
atio
n. N
EC =
Not
Els
ewhe
re C
lass
ifiab
le, n
ot fi
tting
ava
ilabl
e
c
lass
ifica
tions
. N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e =
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r cla
ssifi
catio
n
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 17 Bureau of Labor Standards
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 18
Elementary and Secondary Schools (SIC 8211). TABLE 3-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Elementary and Secondary
Schools
OCCUPATION FRO
I
%
Janitors and cleaners 196 25.8
Elementary school teachers 96 12.6
Bus drivers 73 9.6
Special education teachers 61 8.0
Secondary school teachers 57 7.5
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 192 25.2
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 117 15.4
Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified 80 10.5
Back pain, hurt back 61 8.0
Bruises, contusions 60 7.9
INDUSTRY PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 125 16.4
ELEMENTARY AND Lumbar region 89 11.7
SECONDARY Knee(s) 59 7.8
SCHOOLS Body Systems 56 7.4
(761 FROI) Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 45 5.9
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Bodily motion/position of injured worker 127 16.7
Floors 64 8.4
Person--other than injured/ill worker, NEC 56 7.4
Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 42 5.5
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 38 5.0
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 136 17.9
Overexertion in lifting 95 12.5
Slip, trip, loss of balance-without fall 44 5.8
Bodily conditions, not elsewhere classifiable 42 5.5
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 32 4.2
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 19
Figure 3-1 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the elementary and secondary schools Industry (SIC 8211).
As can be seen in Figure 3-1, the highest proportion of reported disabling cases was for janitors and cleaners. As to how workers were injured, Table 3-2 shows that the number one Source of injury or illness for all workers in schools was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the top reported Event was fall to floor, walkway or other surface. The most often reported body Part for all workers was multiple body parts. These data indicate a need for further research into the Sources of injury for janitors and cleaners specifically.
FIGURE 3-1: Occupations - Elementary and Secondary Schools(761 Disabling FROI)
Janitors and Cleaners25.8%
Elementary School Teachers
12.6%
Bus Drivers9.6%
Special Education Teachers
8.0%
Secondary School Teachers
7.5%
Other occupations36.5%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 20
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (SIC 8062). TABLE 3-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in General Medical and Surgical
Hospitals
OCCUPATION FRO
I
%
Registered nurses 163 22.1
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 137 18.6
Janitors and cleaners 79 10.7
Health technologists/technicians, not elsewhere classifiable 47 6.4
Maids and housemen 37 5.0
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 388 52.7
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 79 10.7
Bruises, contusions 55 7.5
Back pain, hurt back 42 5.7
Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified 21 2.9
INDUSTRY PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 137 18.6
GENERAL MEDICAL Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 99 13.5
AND SURGICAL Multiple body parts 73 9.9
HOSPITALS Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 48 6.5
(736 FROI) Knee(s) 46 6.3
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 198 26.9
Bodily motion/position of injured worker 142 19.3
Nonclassifiable 57 7.7
Floor of Building 38 5.2
Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 20 2.7
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 165 22.4
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 66 9.0
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 49 6.7
Overexertion, unspecified 41 5.6
Overexertion holding/carrying/turning/wielding object 40 5.4
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury and Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 21
Figure 3-2 below shows the five Occupations with the greatest number of reported disabling FROI in the general medical and surgical hospital Industry (SIC 8062) for 2002.
In terms of Occupation, registered nurses ranked first and, when taken together with nursing aides, orderlies and attendants, accounted for over 40% of disabling injuries and illness reported in this Industry according to Figure 3-2. Table 3-3 shows that the top Source of injury or illness for all hospital workers was health care patient/resident of health care facility. Four of the top five entries under Event involved overexertion with overexertion in lifting ranked first. The lumbar region was the body Part involved in the most reported disabling injuries and illnesses for all workers in this Industry and back-related categories accounted for 31.6% of disabling FROI.
FIGURE 3-2: Occupations - General Medical and Surgical Hospitals(736 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations37.1%
Maids and housemen5.0%
Health Technologists / Technicians NEC
6.4%
Janitors and Cleaners10.7%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
18.6%
Registered nurses22.1%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 22
Grocery Stores (SIC 5411) TABLE 3-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Grocery Stores
OCCUPATION FRO
I
%
Stock handlers and baggers 179 24.9
Kitchen workers, food preparation 107 14.9
Laborers, except construction 101 14.1
Cashiers 99 13.8
Supervisors/proprietors-sales occupation 66 9.2
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 213 29.7
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 135 18.8
Traumatic inj & disorders, unspecified 67 9.3
Cuts, lacerations 63 8.8
Back pain, hurt back 56 7.8
INDUSTRY PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 108 15.0
Multiple body parts 74 10.3
GROCERY STORES Finger(s), fingernail(s) 68 9.5
(718 FROI) Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 54 7.5
Wrist(s) 44 6.1
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Bodily motion/position of injured worker 156 21.7
Boxes, crates, cartons 104 14.5
Floors 45 6.3
Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 40 5.6
Nonclassifiable 40 5.6
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 146 20.3
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 52 7.2
Overexertion, unspecified 46 6.4
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 45 6.3
Repetitive placing/grasping/moving object except tool 34 4.7
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 23
The top five Occupations, in terms of FROI reported in 2002, for the grocery stores Industry (SIC 5411) are shown in Figure 3-3.
Stock handlers and baggers accounted for almost one quarter of the reported disabling injuries and illnesses in this Industry as shown in Figure 3-3. Bodily motion/position of injured worker was the first ranked Source of injury or illness for all workers. As to Event, overexertion in general totaled 33% of reported injuries and illnesses. The number one Part of body affected was lumbar region for all workers in this Industry, as seen in Table 3-4.
FIGURE 3-3: Occupations - Grocery Stores (718 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations23.1%
Supervisors/proprietors-Sales Occupation
9.2%Cashiers13.8%
Laborers - except Construction
14.1%
Kitchen Workers, Food Preparation
14.9%
Stock Handlers and Baggers24.9%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 24
Eating Places (SIC 5812) TABLE 3-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Eating Places
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Kitchen workers, food preparation 178 27.8
Cooks 157 24.5
Waiters and waitresses 74 11.5
Miscellaneous food preparation occupations 56 8.7
Managers, food serving/lodging establish 38 5.9
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 156 24.3
Cuts, lacerations 112 17.5
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 68 10.6
Heat burns, scalds 65 10.1
Bruises, contusions 55 8.6
INDUSTRY PART OF BODY
Finger(s), fingernail(s) 103 16.1
Lumbar region 69 10.8
EATNG PLACES Knee(s) 61 9.5
(641 FROI) Multiple body parts 53 8.3
Hand(s), except finger(s) 48 7.5
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Bodily motion/position of injured worker 101 15.8
Floor of Building 83 12.9
Knives 57 8.9
Boxes, crates, cartons 35 5.5
Fats, oils 24 3.7
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 102 15.9
Overexertion in lifting 69 10.8
Contact with hot objects or substances 64 10.0
Struck by swinging or slipping object 50 7.8
Slip, trip, loss of balance-without fall 42 6.6
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 25
Figure 3-4 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the eating and drinking places Industry (SIC 5812).
As shown in Figure 3-4, kitchen workers (other than cooks) involved in food preparation filed the greatest number of disabling FROI in this Industry. In fact, food preparation Occupations, also including cooks and miscellaneous food preparation Occupations, accounted for 61% of disabling injuries and illnesses. From Table 3-5, the top Source of injury or illness for all workers was bodily motion/position of injured worker and fall to floor, walkway or other surface was the most common Event. Fingers, fingernails were the most reported injured body Part, and injuries to the fingers and hands accounted for 23.6% of the FROI for all workers in this Industry.
FIGURE 3-4: Occupations - Eating Places (641 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations21.5%
Managers, food serving estab.5.8%
Miscellaneous Food Preparation Occup
8.7%Waiters and Waitresses11.5%
Cooks24.5%
Kitchen Workers, Food Preparation
27.8%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 26
Ship Building and Repairing (SIC 3731) TABLE 3-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses in Ship Building and Repairing
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Welders and cutters 98 16.3
Lay-out workers 79 13.1
Miscellaneous precision metal workers 73 12.1
Electricians 63 10.5
Plumber, pipefitter, and steamfitter 56 9.3
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 157 26.1
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 127 21.1
Symptoms inv nervous/musculoskeletal 66 11.0
Back pain, hurt back 54 9.0
Bruises, contusions 40 6.7
INDUSTRY PART OF BODY
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 94 15.6
SHIPBUILDING Knee(s) 73 12.1
AND REPAIRING Multiple body parts 67 11.1
(601 FROI) Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 37 6.2
Neck, exc internal loc of disorder 32 5.3
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Bodily motion/position of injured worker 176 29.3
Nonclassifiable 84 14.0
Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 25 4.2
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 24 4.0
Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 22 3.7
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Nonclassifiable 56 9.3
Bending/climbing/crawling/reaching/twisting 55 9.2
Overexertion in lifting 51 8.5
Struck against stationary object 45 7.5
Repetitive use of tools 37 6.2
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury of Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 27
For the ship building and repairing Industry (SIC 3731) in the year 2002, Figure 3-5 shows the five Occupations with the highest reported disabling FROI.
In terms of Occupations within this Industry, as diagrammed in Figure 3-5, welders and cutters ranked first, but other Occupations contributed significantly to the total 2002 FROI for this Industry. Bodily motion/position of injured worker was the most commonly reported Source of injury or illness for all workers in this Industry in Table 3-6. While bending/climbing/ crawling/reaching/ twisting ranked first among the classifiable, a wide variety of Events contributed to the frequency of disabling FROI. The back was the body Part producing the highest frequency of reported disabling injury or illness among workers in shipyards.
FIGURE 3-5: Occupations - Ship Building and Repairing(601 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations38.6%
Plumbers, pipefitters, and
steamfitters9.3%
Electricians10.5%
Misc. Precision Metal Workers
12.1%
Lay-out Workers13.1%
Welders and Cutters16.3%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 29
SECTION 4: THE FIVE OCCUPATIONS WITH HIGHEST NUMBER OF REPORTED DISABLING CASES
Overview This section presents information on the five Occupations with the highest reported frequencies of disabling case FROI for 2002. Table 4-1 below lists the top five Occupations in descending order by frequency of disabling case FROI. Together, these five Occupations accounted for 23.6% of all disabling case FROI reported for 2002. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants fell in first place, followed by truck drivers in second place. For each Occupation, the top five each of Nature of the injury or illness, Event of the injury or illness, Source of the injury or illness, and Part of the body affected are tabulated by the disabling case frequency and percentage for that Occupation. Age of the injured worker and Length of Service of the injured worker are both broken down into five inclusive categories and these categories are ranked by the frequency of disabling cases reported for each. Again, the tabulated characteristics refer to the Occupation as a whole, not to the other tabulated characteristics. For example, the 18.0% of Event (overexertion in lifting) in the first row of the third column of Table 4-1 are NOT injuries and illnesses reported as sprains, strains, tears only but ALL Natures within nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants, including those not listed. While there were differences in characteristics of injuries and illnesses between these top five Occupations, a number of elements were shared in common.
• For all Occupations, the top ranking Length-of-Service group was under 1 year, averaging 44.4%of disabling FROI.
• Sprains, strains, tears was the number one reported Nature for all top five Occupations,
averaging 35.8%. Soreness, pain, hurt, except for back ranked second for all Occupations at an average proportion of 15.7%. Back pain, hurt back ranked third or fourth for all five Occupations, averaging 10.2%.
• Under Part, lumbar region ranked first for all top five Occupations, and back, including
spine, spinal cord, unspecified was also common to all. Combined, these two, or the back in general, averaged 25.8% of FROI. Multiple body parts was also common to all five Occupations, averaging 11.5%.
• Overexertion in lifting ranked first in the Event column for all of the top five
Occupations at an average proportion of 17.5% of disabling cases. A variety of Events classified as “overexertion” accounted for between 21.5% and 35.1% of each of the top five Occupations’ disabling FROI. Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface ranked second or third in all five Occupations, averaging 8.1%. Aside from the top-ranking Events, proportions were low, indicating a wide variety of contributing Events in each Occupation.
TA
BL
E 4
-1:
Top
5 O
ccup
atio
ns fo
r 20
02 w
ith T
op 5
Nat
ures
, Eve
nts,
Sour
ces,
Part
s, an
d A
ge G
roup
s and
Len
gth-
of-S
ervi
ce
Cat
egor
ies f
or E
ach
Occ
upat
ion
OC
CU
PAT
ION
N
AT
UR
E*
FROI
%
EV
EN
T O
F IN
JUR
Y/IL
LN
ESS*
FROI
%
SOU
RC
E O
F IN
JUR
Y/
ILL
NES
S*
FROI
%
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
422
44.0
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
17
318
.0 H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y53
956
.2
NU
RSE
S A
IDE
S,
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
182
19.0
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
68
7.1
Bod
ily m
otio
n/po
sitio
n of
inju
red
wor
ker
77
8.0
OR
DE
RL
IES,
AN
D
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
149
15.5
Ove
rexe
rtion
in p
ullin
g/pu
shin
g ob
ject
s 50
5.
2 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 77
8.
0
AT
TE
ND
AN
TS
Bru
ises
, con
tusi
ons
41
4.3
Ove
rexe
rtion
, uns
peci
fied
43
4.5
Flo
or o
f Bui
ldin
g 40
4.
2
(959
FR
OI)
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, UN
S35
3.
6 O
vere
xerti
on h
oldi
ng/c
arry
ing/
turn
ing/
wie
ldin
g ob
j.40
4.
2 B
odily
con
ditio
ns o
f inj
ured
, ill
wor
ker
17
1.8
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
338
39.0
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
12
814
.8 B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 12
013
.9
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
10
912
.6 F
all t
o flo
or, w
alkw
ay o
r oth
er su
rfac
e 96
11
.1 G
roun
d 82
9.
5
TR
UC
K D
RIV
ER
S B
ack
pain
, hur
t bac
k 74
8.
5 O
vere
xerti
on in
pul
ling/
push
ing
obje
cts
71
8.2
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, UN
S 67
7.
7 (8
66 F
RO
I) B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 63
7.
3 F
all f
rom
non
mov
ing
vehi
cle
45
5.2
Non
clas
sifia
ble
53
6.1
F
ract
ures
61
7.
0 B
odily
reac
tion,
not
els
ewhe
re c
lass
ifiab
le
43
5.0
Sem
i tra
iler/
tract
or tr
aile
r / tr
aile
r tru
ck
36
4.2
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
283
33.3
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
17
720
.8 B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 12
014
.1
LA
BO
RE
RS,
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
13
816
.3 O
vere
xerti
on, u
nspe
cifie
d 54
6.
4 B
oxes
, cra
tes,
carto
ns
81
9.5
EX
CE
PT
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
81
9.5
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
52
6.1
Non
clas
sifia
ble
72
8.5
CO
NST
RU
CT
ION
B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 74
8.
7 O
vere
xerti
on in
pul
ling/
push
ing
obje
cts
47
5.5
Flo
or o
f bui
ldin
g 31
3.
7
(849
FR
OI)
Cut
s, la
cera
tions
48
5.
7 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 36
4.
2 O
ther
sour
ces,
not e
lsew
here
cla
ssifi
able
31
3.
7
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
232
35.0
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
11
417
.2 B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 10
616
.0
JAN
ITO
RS
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
109
16.4
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
72
10.9
Flo
or o
f bui
ldin
g 51
7.
7
AN
D
Bru
ises
, con
tusi
ons
55
8.3
Ove
rexe
rtion
in p
ullin
g/pu
shin
g ob
ject
s 48
7.
2 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 41
6.
2
CL
EA
NE
RS
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
55
8.3
Ove
rexe
rtion
, uns
peci
fied
41
6.2
Bag
s, sa
cks,
tote
s 30
4.
5
(663
FR
OI)
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, UN
S44
6.
6 O
vere
xerti
on, n
ot e
lsew
here
cla
ssifi
able
30
4.
5 F
loor
s, w
alkw
ays,
grou
nd su
rfac
es, U
NS
30
4.5
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
117
28.2
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
70
16
.9 B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 49
11
.8
CO
NST
RU
CT
ION
S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
58
14
.0 S
truck
by
falli
ng o
bjec
t 23
5.
5 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 45
10
.8
LA
BO
RE
RS
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
39
9.4
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
22
5.3
Gro
und
24
5.8
(415
FR
OI)
Fra
ctur
es
34
8.2
Non
clas
sifia
ble
21
5.1
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, UN
S 19
4.
6
B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sion
s 32
7.
7 O
vere
xerti
on, u
nspe
cifie
d 19
4.
6 N
ails
, bra
ds, t
acks
14
3.
4
*Th
ese
colu
mns
refe
r to
the
Occ
upat
ion
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r det
aile
d cl
assi
ficat
ion.
NEC
= N
ot E
lsew
here
Cla
ssifi
able
, not
fitti
ng a
vaila
ble
clas
sific
atio
ns.
Non
clas
sifia
ble
= in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for
clas
sific
atio
n. C
ontin
ued
next
pag
e.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 30 Bureau of Labor Standards
TA
BL
E 4
-1, c
ontin
ued
OC
CU
PAT
ION
PA
RT
OF
BO
DY
*
FROI
%
AG
E O
F IN
JUR
ED
W
OR
KE
R*
FROI
%
LE
NG
TH O
F SE
RV
ICE
*
FROI
%
L
umba
r reg
ion
238
24.8
2
5-34
26
2 27
.3
Und
er 1
yea
r 44
1 46
.0
NU
RSE
S A
IDE
S,
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
126
13.1
3
5-44
24
2 25
.2
2-4
yea
rs
179
18.7
OR
DE
RL
IES,
AN
D
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
110
11.5
4
5-54
19
1 19
.9
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 14
1 14
.7
AT
TE
ND
AN
TS
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
80
8.
3 U
nder
25
177
18.5
5
-14
year
s 13
8 14
.4
(959
FR
OI)
Kne
e(s)
57
5.
9 5
5 an
d ol
der
87
9.1
15
year
s and
abo
ve
31
3.2
L
umba
r reg
ion
130
15.0
3
5-44
28
0 32
.3
Und
er 1
yea
r 30
6 35
.3
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
11
1 12
.8
25-
34
207
23.9
2
-4 y
ears
17
3 20
.0
TR
UC
K D
RIV
ER
S B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S77
8.
9 4
5-54
20
6 23
.8
5-1
4 ye
ars
172
19.9
(866
FR
OI)
Kne
e(s)
70
8.
1 5
5 an
d ol
der
130
15.0
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
131
15.1
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
68
7.9
Und
er 2
5 43
5.
0 1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
64
7.
4
L
umba
r reg
ion
127
15.0
2
5-34
24
2 28
.5
Und
er 1
yea
r 44
6 52
.5
LA
BO
RE
RS,
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S69
8.
1 U
nder
25
225
26.5
2
-4 y
ears
12
3 14
.5
EX
CE
PT
Kne
e(s)
64
7.
5 3
5-44
22
0 25
.9
5-1
4 ye
ars
110
13.0
CO
NST
RU
CT
ION
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
63
7.
4 4
5-54
10
9 12
.8
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 10
5 12
.4
(849
FR
OI)
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
57
6.
7 5
5 an
d ol
der
53
6.2
15
year
s and
abo
ve
34
4.0
L
umba
r reg
ion
91
13.7
4
5-54
19
4 29
.3
Und
er 1
yea
r 17
7 26
.7
JAN
ITO
RS
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
89
13.4
3
5-44
17
6 26
.5
5-1
4 ye
ars
169
25.5
AN
D
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
57
8.6
55
and
olde
r 16
2 24
.4
2-4
yea
rs
131
19.8
CL
EA
NE
RS
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
55
8.
3 2
5-34
86
13
.0
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 86
13
.0
(663
FR
OI)
Kne
e(s)
49
7.
4 U
nder
25
45
6.8
15
year
s and
abo
ve
78
11.8
L
umba
r reg
ion
63
15.2
U
nder
25
120
28.9
U
nder
1 y
ear
256
61.7
CO
NST
RU
CT
ION
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
44
10
.6
25-
34
120
28.9
5
-14
year
s 47
11
.3
LA
BO
RE
RS
Bac
k, in
cl. s
pine
, spi
nal c
ord,
UN
S 34
8.
2 3
5-44
10
0 24
.1
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 44
10
.6
(415
FR
OI)
Kne
e(s)
30
7.
2 4
5-54
52
12
.5
2-4
yea
rs
42
10.1
A
nkle
(s)
29
7.0
55
and
olde
r 23
5.
5 1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
16
3.
9
T
hese
col
umns
refe
r to
the
Occ
upat
ion
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
U
NS
= U
nspe
cifie
d, in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for d
etai
led
clas
sific
atio
n. N
EC =
Not
Els
ewhe
re C
lass
ifiab
le, n
ot fi
tting
ava
ilabl
e cl
assi
ficat
ions
. N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e =
insu
ffici
ent
dat
a fo
r cla
ssifi
catio
n.
.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 31 Bureau of Labor Standards
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 32
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants TABLE 4-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants.
NATURE FR
OI %
Sprains, strains, tears 422 44.0
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 182 19.0
Back pain, hurt back 149 15.5
Bruises, contusions 41 4.3
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 35 3.6
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 173 18.0
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 68 7.1
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 50 5.2
OCCUPATION Overexertion, unspecified 43 4.5
Overexertion holding/carrying/turning/wielding object 40 4.2
NURSING AIDES,
ORDERLIES, AND
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
ATTENDANTS Health care patient/resident of health care facility 539 56.2
(959 FROI) Bodily motion/position of injured worker 77 8.0
Nonclassifiable 77 8.0
Floor of Building 40 4.2
Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 17 1.8
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 238 24.8
Multiple body parts 126 13.1
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 110 11.5
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 80 8.3
Knee(s) 57 5.9
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 33
TABLE 4-2, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
25-34 262 27.3
35-44 242 25.2
45-54 191 19.9
OCCUPATION Under 25 177 18.5
55 and older 87 9.1
NURSING AIDES,
ORDERLIES, AND
ATTENDANTS LENGTH OF SERVICE
(959 FROI) Under 1 year 441 46.0
2-4 years 179 18.7
1 year to 2 years 141 14.7
5-14 years 138 14.4
15 years and above 31 3.2 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 4-1 shows the five Events contributing the most disabling FROI within the nurses’ aides, orderlies, and attendants Occupation for 2002.
From Table 4-2, the Nature of injury or illness that produced the most FROI involving nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants was sprains, strains, tears. The top Event was overexertion in lifting as shown in Figure 4-1, but many different Events contributed to recorded FROI. Overexertion of one kind or another figured in four of the top five Events, or at least 31.9% of reported cases. The top Source of injury or illness was health care patient/resident of health facility and the lumbar region ranked first as Part of body affected. The top-ranked Age group was 25-34 years and the highest-ranking Length-of-Service group was under one year.
FIGURE 4-1: Events - Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants(959 Disabling FROI)
Other events61.0%
Overexertion holding/ carrying/ turning/ wielding
object4.2%
Overexertion, UNS4.5%
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects
5.2%
Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface
7.1%
Overexertion in lifting18.0%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 34
Truck Drivers TABLE 4-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Truck Drivers
NATURE FR
OI %
Sprains, strains, tears 338 39.0
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 109 12.6
Back pain, hurt back 74 8.5
Bruises, contusions 63 7.3
Fractures 61 7.0
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 128 14.8
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 96 11.1
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 71 8.2
OCCUPATION Fall from nonmoving vehicle 45 5.2
Bodily reaction, not elsewhere classifiable 43 5.0
TRUCK DRIVERS SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(866 FROI) Bodily motion/position of injured worker 120 13.9
Ground 82 9.5
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 67 7.7
Nonclassifiable 53 6.1
Semi trailer/ tractor trailer / trailer truck 36 4.2
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 130 15.0
Multiple body parts 111 12.8
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 77 8.9
Knee(s) 70 8.1
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 68 7.9
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 35
TABLE 4-3, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 280 32.3
25-34 207 23.9
45-54 206 23.8
OCCUPATION 55 and older 130 15.0
Under 25 43 5.0
TRUCK DRIVERS
(866 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 306 35.3
2-4 years 173 20.0
5-14 years 172 19.9
1 year to 2 years 131 15.1
15 years and above 64 7.4 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
The top five Events, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the truck drivers Occupation are shown in Figure 4-2.
From Table 4-3, the top-ranked Nature of injury or illness for truck drivers was sprains, strains, tears. As seen in Figure 4-2, the number one Event was overexertion in lifting, with overexertion in pulling/pushing objects also appearing (the two overexertion Events totaled 23%). A variety of Events produced disabling-case reports. The highest-ranking Source was bodily motion/ position of injured worker and the Part of body generating the most FROI was lumbar region. The Age group most often involved in a report was 35-44 years and the top Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 4-2: Events - Truck Drivers (866 Disabling FROI)
Other events55.8%
Bodily reaction, NEC5.0%
Fall from nonmoving vehicle5.2%
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects
8.2%
Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface
11.1%
Overexertion in lifting14.8%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 36
Laborers, Except Construction TABLE 4-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Laborers, Except Construction
NATURE FR
OI %
Sprains, strains, tears 283 33.3
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 138 16.3
Back pain, hurt back 81 9.5
Bruises, contusions 74 8.7
Cuts, lacerations 48 5.7
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 177 20.8
Overexertion, unspecified 54 6.4
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 52 6.1
OCCUPATION Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 47 5.5
Nonclassifiable 36 4.2
LABORERS,
EXCEPT
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
CONSTRUCTION Bodily motion/position of injured worker 120 14.1
(849 FROI) Boxes, crates, cartons 81 9.5
Nonclassifiable 72 8.5
Floor of building 31 3.7
Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 31 3.7
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 127 15.0
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 69 8.1
Knee(s) 64 7.5
Multiple body parts 63 7.4
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 57 6.7
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 37
TABLE 4-4, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
25-34 242 28.5
Under 25 225 26.5
35-44 220 25.9
OCCUPATION 45-54 109 12.8
55 and older 53 6.2
LABORERS,
EXCEPT
CONSTRUCTION LENGTH OF SERVICE
(849 FROI) Under 1 year 446 52.5
2-4 years 123 14.5
5-14 years 110 13.0
1 year to 2 years 105 12.4
15 years and above 34 4.0 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 4-3 presents the five Events reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the laborers, except construction Occupation.
According to Table 4-4, the most frequently reported Nature of injury or illness reported by this Occupation was sprains, strains, tears. From Figure 4-3, the top Event was overexertion in lifting and overexertion Events were three of the top five, totaling 32.7%. The top Source of injury was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the Part of body most often reported was lumbar region. The Age group generating the most reports was 25-34 years and the most frequently reported Length-of-Service category was less than one year.
FIGURE 4-3: Events - Laborers, Except Construction(849 Disabling FROI)
Other events56.9%
Nonclassifiable4.2%
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects
5.5%
Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface
6.1%
Overexertion, UNS6.4%
Overexertion in lifting20.8%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 38
Janitors and Cleaners TABLE 4-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Janitors and Cleaners
NATURE FR
OI
%
Sprains, strains, tears 232 35.0
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 109 16.4
Bruises, contusions 55 8.3
Back pain, hurt back 55 8.3
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 44 6.6
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 114 17.2
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 72 10.9
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 48 7.2
OCCUPATION Overexertion, unspecified 41 6.2
Overexertion, not elsewhere classifiable 30 4.5
JANITORS
AND
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
CLEANERS Bodily motion/position of injured worker 106 16.0
(663 FROI) Floor of building 51 7.7
Nonclassifiable 41 6.2
Bags, sacks, totes 30 4.5
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 30 4.5
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 91 13.7
Multiple body parts 89 13.4
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 57 8.6
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 55 8.3
Knee(s) 49 7.4
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 39
TABLE 4-5, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
45-54 194 29.3
35-44 176 26.5
55 and older 162 24.4
OCCUPATION 25-34 86 13.0
Under 25 45 6.8
JANITORS
AND
CLEANERS LENGTH OF SERVICE
(663 FROI) Under 1 year 177 26.7
5-14 years 169 25.5
2-4 years 131 19.8
1 year to 2 years 86 13.0
15 years and above 78 11.8 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
In Figure 4-4, the top five Events, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the janitors and cleaners Occupation are shown.
Table 4-5 shows sprains, strains, tears as the leading Nature of injury or illness. Figure 4-4 has overexertion in four Event positions (35.1%) with overexertion in lifting the top Event reported. The top Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker. The lumbar region ranked first as Part of body affected. The top-ranked Age group was 45-54 years and the Length-of-Service group generating the most FROI was under one year. Almost 54% of reported disabling cases in this Occupation involved workers of age 45 or older, a point that could bear further investigation.
FIGURE 4-4: Events - Janitors & cleaners (663 Disabling FROI)
Other events54.0%
Overexertion, NEC4.5%
Overexertion, UNS6.2%
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects
7.2%
Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface
10.9%
Overexertion in lifting17.2%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 40
Construction Laborers TABLE 4-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses of Construction Laborers
NATURE FR
OI
%
Sprains, strains, tears 117 28.2
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 58 14.0
Back pain, hurt back 39 9.4
Fractures 34 8.2
Bruises, contusions 32 7.7
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 70 16.9
Struck by falling object 23 5.5
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 22 5.3
OCCUPATION Nonclassifiable 21 5.1
Overexertion, unspecified 19 4.6
CONSTRUCTION
LABORERS
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(415 FROI) Bodily motion/position of injured worker 49 11.8
Nonclassifiable 45 10.8
Ground 24 5.8
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 19 4.6
Nails, brads, tacks 14 3.4
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 63 15.2
Multiple body parts 44 10.6
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 34 8.2
Knee(s) 30 7.2
Ankle(s) 29 7.0
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 41
TABLE 4-6, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I %
Under 25 120 28.9
25-34 120 28.9
35-44 100 24.1
OCCUPATION 45-54 52 12.5
55 and older 23 5.5
CONSTRUCTION
LABORERS
(415 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 256 61.7
5-14 years 47 11.3
1 year to 2 years 44 10.6
2-4 years 42 10.1
15 years and above 16 3.9
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Figure 4-5 shows the five Events with the most reported disabling FROI for the construction laborers Occupation in 2002.
Table 4-6 shows that, for construction laborers, the most reported Nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, tears. As to how workers were injured, Figure 4-5 shows that the number one Event was overexertion in lifting, and the two overexertion Events in the top five total 21.5%. The top reported Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the most often reported body Part for all workers was lumbar region. The top Age group was under 25 years and the top Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 4-5: Events - Construction laborers (415 Disabling FROI)
Other events62.7%
Overexertion, UNS4.6%
Nonclassifiable5.1%
Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface
5.3%
Struck by falling object5.5%
Overxertion in lifting16.9%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 43
SECTION 5: THE FIVE NATURES OF INJURY OR ILLNESS MOST OFTEN REPORTED
Overview This section presents information on the five Natures of injury or illness reported in the highest numbers of FROI for 2002. Table 5-1 below lists the top five Natures in descending order. Together, these five Natures accounted for 67.7% of all FROI for 2002. Sprains, strains, tears was the number one reported Nature, accounting for 31.5% of all 2002 FROI. It was followed by soreness, pain, hurt, except the back, and then by back pain, hurt back, all musculoskeletal categories. For each Nature, the top five each of Occupation of the injured worker, Event of the injury or illness, Source of the injury or illness, and Part of the body affected are tabulated by the disabling case frequency and percentage for that Nature. Age of the injured worker and Length of Service of the injured worker are both broken down into five inclusive categories and these categories are ranked by the frequency of disabling cases reported for each. Again, the tabulated characteristics refer to the Nature as a whole, not to the other tabulated characteristics. For example, the 28.0% of Event (overexertion in lifting) in the first row of the third column of Table 5-1 are NOT injuries and illnesses reported by nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants but by ALL Occupations within sprains, strains, tears, including those Occupations not listed. While there were differences in characteristics of injuries and illnesses between these top five Natures, a number of elements were shared in common.
• For all top five Natures, the top ranked Length-of-Service group was under 1 year. That group showed an average proportion of 35.8%.
• Under the Age of the injured worker, the 35-44 group ranked first for each of the top
five Natures, averaging 27.9%.
• Except for the bruises, contusions Nature of injury or illness, overexertion in lifting ranked first or second in the Event column and Events classified as “overexertion” accounted for an average of 29.6% of each of the non-bruise Natures’ disabling FROI. Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface appeared under all five Natures, averaging 12.7% but peaking under bruises, contusions at 27.4%.
• As to Source of injury or illness, bodily motion/position of injured worker ranked first
in the four Natures other than bruises, contusions, averaging 22.1% of reported disabling injuries and illnesses.
• Four Occupations were affected by all five Natures. Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants averaged 7% of disabling cases per Nature. Janitors and cleaners; laborers, except construction; and truck drivers were the other Occupations in common
TA
BL
E 5
-1:
Top
5 N
atur
es fo
r 20
02 w
ith T
op 5
Occ
upat
ions
, Par
ts, S
ourc
es, E
vent
s, an
d A
ge G
roup
s and
Len
gth-
of-S
ervi
ce
Cat
egor
ies f
or e
ach
Nat
ure
N
AT
UR
E O
F IN
JUR
Y/
ILL
NE
SS
PAR
T O
F B
OD
Y*
FROI
%
EV
EN
T O
F IN
JUR
Y/I
LL
NE
SS*
FROI
%
SOU
RC
E O
F IN
JUR
Y/I
LL
NE
SS
FROI
%
N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
422
8.4
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
1,
399
28.0
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 1,
242
24.8
SPR
AIN
S, S
TR
AIN
S, T
ruck
driv
ers
338
6.8
Ove
rexe
rtion
in p
ullin
g/pu
shin
g ob
ject
s 42
18.
4 H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y 44
0 8.
8
TE
AR
S L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
283
5.7
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
359
7.2
Box
es, c
rate
s, ca
rtons
32
4 6.
5
(5,0
00 F
RO
I) J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
232
4.6
Ove
rexe
rtion
, uns
peci
fied
341
6.8
Non
clas
sifia
ble
283
5.7
S
tock
han
dler
s and
bag
gers
12
32.
5 S
lip, t
rip, l
oss o
f bal
ance
- w
ithou
t fal
l 33
86.
8 F
loor
of b
uild
ing
182
3.6
N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
182
7.2
Ove
rexe
rtion
in li
fting
33
013
.1
Bod
ily m
otio
n/po
sitio
n of
inju
red
wor
ker
782
31.1
SOR
EN
ESS
, PA
IN,
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 13
85.
5 F
all t
o flo
or, w
alkw
ay o
r oth
er su
rfac
e 20
58.
2 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 25
2 10
.0
HU
RT
, EX
CE
PT
Jan
itors
and
cle
aner
s 10
94.
3 O
vere
xerti
on, u
nspe
cifie
d 17
57.
0 H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y 13
0 5.
2
TH
E B
AC
K
Tru
ck d
river
s 10
94.
3 R
epet
itive
mot
ion,
uns
peci
fied
153
6.1
Flo
or o
f bui
ldin
g 11
7 4.
7
(2,5
12 F
RO
I) C
onst
ruct
ion
labo
rers
58
2.3
Non
clas
sifia
ble
151
6.0
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, uns
peci
fied
101
4.0
N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
149
11.1
O
vere
xerti
on in
lifti
ng
480
35.9
B
odily
mot
ion/
posi
tion
of in
jure
d w
orke
r 22
0 16
.4
BA
CK
PA
IN,
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 81
6.1
Stru
ck b
y fa
lling
obj
ect
122
9.1
Non
clas
sifia
ble
159
11.9
HU
RT
BA
CK
T
ruck
driv
ers
745.
5 B
endi
ng/c
limbi
ng/c
raw
ling/
reac
hing
/twis
ting
103
7.7
Hea
lth c
are
patie
nt/re
side
nt o
f hea
lth c
are
faci
lity
132
9.9
(1,3
38 F
RO
I) J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
554.
1 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 90
6.
7 B
oxes
, cra
tes,
carto
ns
114
8.5
C
onst
ruct
ion
labo
rers
39
2.9
Fal
l to
floor
, wal
kway
or o
ther
surf
ace
82
6.1
Oth
er so
urce
s, no
t els
ewhe
re c
lass
ifiab
le
74
5.5
L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
747.
1 F
all t
o flo
or, w
alkw
ay o
r oth
er su
rfac
e 28
627
.4
Flo
or o
f bui
ldin
g 16
2 15
.5
BR
UIS
ES,
T
ruck
driv
ers
636.
0 S
truck
aga
inst
stat
iona
ry o
bjec
t 11
911
.4
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surf
aces
, uns
peci
fied
80
7.7
CO
NT
USI
ON
S J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
555.
3 S
truck
by
falli
ng o
bjec
t 98
9.
4 G
roun
d 73
7.
0
(1,0
45 F
RO
I) K
itche
n w
orke
rs, f
ood
prep
arat
ion
494.
7 S
truck
by
obje
ct, n
ot e
lsew
here
cla
ssifi
able
64
6.
1 D
oors
37
3.
5
N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
413.
9 F
all d
own
stai
rs o
r ste
ps
39
3.7
Non
clas
sifia
ble
29
2.8
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
445.
3 F
all t
o flo
or, w
alkw
ay o
r oth
er su
rfac
e 12
014
.4
Bod
ily m
otio
n/po
sitio
n of
inju
red
wor
ker
135
16.2
TR
AU
MA
TIC
T
ruck
driv
ers
404.
8 O
vere
xerti
on in
lifti
ng
87
10.5
F
loor
of b
uild
ing
64
7.7
INJU
RIE
S A
ND
N
ursi
ng a
ides
, ord
erlie
s, an
d at
tend
ants
354.
2 S
truck
by
falli
ng o
bjec
t 41
4.
9 N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e 53
6.
4
DIS
OR
DE
RS,
UN
S S
tock
han
dler
s and
bag
gers
34
4.1
Ove
rexe
rtion
, uns
peci
fied
38
4.6
Gro
und
47
5.7
(831
FR
OI)
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 33
4.0
Ove
rexe
rtion
in p
ullin
g/pu
shin
g ob
ject
s 35
4.
2 F
loor
s, w
alkw
ays,
grou
nd su
rfac
es, u
nspe
cifie
d 37
4.
5
* Th
ese
colu
mns
refe
r to
the
Nat
ure
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r det
aile
d cl
assi
ficat
ion.
NEC
= N
ot E
lsew
here
Cla
ssifi
able
, not
fitti
ng a
vaila
ble
clas
sific
atio
ns.
Non
clas
sifia
ble
= in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for
clas
sific
atio
n. C
ontin
ued
next
pag
e.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 44 Bureau of Labor Standards
T
AB
LE
5-1
, con
tinue
d
NA
TU
RE
OF
INJU
RY
/ IL
LN
ESS
PA
RT
OF
BO
DY
*
FROI
%
AG
E O
F IN
JUR
ED
W
OR
KE
R*
FROI
%
LE
NG
TH
OF
SER
VIC
E *
FROI
%
L
umba
r reg
ion
1,26
825
.4
35-
44
1,44
628
.9
Und
er 1
yea
r 1,
760
35.2
SPR
AIN
S, S
TR
AIN
S,
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
545
10.9
2
5-34
1,
203
24.1
5
-14
year
s 97
6 19
.5
TE
AR
S S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
501
10.0
4
5-54
1,
156
23.1
2
-4 y
ears
95
6 19
.1
(5,0
00 F
RO
I) K
nee(
s)
493
9.9
Und
er 2
5 69
9 14
.0
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 62
9 12
.6
A
nkle
(s)
439
8.8
55
and
olde
r 49
6 9.
9 1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
51
2 10
.2
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
60
2 24
.0
35-
44
723
28.8
U
nder
1 y
ear
817
32.5
SOR
EN
ESS
, PA
IN,
Kne
e(s)
32
0 12
.7
45-
54
622
24.8
5
-14
year
s 58
2 23
.2
HU
RT
, EX
CE
PT
Sho
ulde
r, in
clud
ing
clav
icle
, sca
pula
31
0 12
.3
25-
34
511
20.3
2
-4 y
ears
44
7 17
.8
TH
E B
AC
K
Wris
t(s)
156
6.2
55
and
olde
r 34
9 13
.9
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 34
2 13
.6
(2,5
12 F
RO
I) A
nkle
(s)
94
3.7
Und
er 2
5 30
7 12
.2
15
year
s and
abo
ve
289
11.5
L
umba
r reg
ion
650
48.6
3
5-44
37
2 27
.8
Und
er 1
yea
r 50
0 37
.4
BA
CK
PA
IN,
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
563
42.1
2
5-34
33
4 25
.0
5-1
4 ye
ars
266
19.9
HU
RT
BA
CK
T
hora
cic
regi
on
64
4.8
45-
54
293
21.9
2
-4 y
ears
24
4 18
.2
(1,3
38 F
RO
I) M
ultip
le b
ack
regi
ons
43
3.2
Und
er 2
5 19
8 14
.8
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 18
2 13
.6
C
occy
geal
regi
on
8 0.
6 5
5 an
d ol
der
141
10.5
1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
12
2 9.
1
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
18
8 18
.0
35-
44
271
25.9
U
nder
1 y
ear
420
40.2
BR
UIS
ES,
K
nee(
s)
154
14.7
2
5-34
24
6 23
.5
2-4
yea
rs
190
18.2
CO
NT
USI
ON
S F
oot(f
eet),
exc
ept t
oe(s
), un
spec
ified
55
5.
3 4
5-54
19
8 18
.9
5-1
4 ye
ars
168
16.1
(1,0
45 F
RO
I) C
hest
, exc
l. in
tern
al lo
cn. o
f dis
ease
/dis
orde
r51
4.
9 U
nder
25
195
18.7
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
140
13.4
H
ead,
uns
peci
fied
42
4.0
55
and
olde
r 13
5 12
.9
15
year
s and
abo
ve
90
8.6
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
16
2 19
.5
35-
44
233
28.0
U
nder
1 y
ear
281
33.8
TR
AU
MA
TIC
K
nee(
s)
82
9.9
45-
54
202
24.3
5
-14
year
s 17
1 20
.6
INJU
RIE
S A
ND
L
umba
r reg
ion
75
9.0
25-
34
170
20.5
2
-4 y
ears
16
8 20
.2
DIS
OR
DE
RS,
UN
S S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
64
7.7
Und
er 2
5 11
4 13
.7
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 92
11
.1
(831
FR
OI)
Fin
ger(
s), f
inge
rnai
l(s)
39
4.7
55
and
olde
r 11
2 13
.5
15
year
s and
abo
ve
83
10.0
Thes
e co
lum
ns re
fer t
o th
e N
atur
e in
dica
ted,
not
to o
ther
col
umns
or e
ntri
es w
ithin
thos
e co
lum
ns.
FRO
I = F
irst
Rep
orts
of O
ccup
atio
nal I
njur
y or
Dis
ease
. U
NS
= U
nspe
cifie
d, in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for d
etai
led
clas
sific
atio
n. N
EC =
Not
Els
ewhe
re C
lass
ifiab
le, n
ot fi
tting
ava
ilabl
e cl
assi
ficat
ions
. N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e =
in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for c
lass
ifica
tion.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 45 Bureau of Labor Standards
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 46
Sprains, Strains, Tears TABLE 5-2: Characteristics of Sprains, Strains, Tears
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 422 8.4
Truck drivers 338 6.8
Laborers, except construction 283 5.7
Janitors and cleaners 232 4.6
Stock handlers and baggers 123 2.5
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 1,399 28.0
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 421 8.4
NATURE OF INJURY/ Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 359 7.2
ILLNESS Overexertion, unspecified 341 6.8
Slip, trip, loss of balance - without fall 338 6.8
SPRAINS, STRAINS,
TEARS
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(5,000 FROI) Bodily motion/position of injured worker 1,242 24.8
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 440 8.8
Boxes, crates, cartons 324 6.5
Nonclassifiable 283 5.7
Floor of building 182 3.6
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 1,268 25.4
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 545 10.9
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 501 10.0
Knee(s) 493 9.9
Ankle(s) 439 8.8
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 47
TABLE 5-2, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 1,446 28.9
25-34 1,203 24.1
NATURE OF INJURY/ 45-54 1,156 23.1
ILLNESS Under 25 699 14.0
55 and older 496 9.9
SPRAINS, STRAINS,
TEARS
(5,000 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 1,760 35.2
5-14 years 976 19.5
2-4 years 956 19.1
1 year to 2 years 629 12.6
15 years and above 512 10.2 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 5-1 shows the five Occupations with the most reported disabling FROI for the sprains, strains, tears Nature for 2002.
As shown in Figure 5-1, the Occupation that reported the most sprains, strains, tears in 2002 was nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants but many Occupations reported numbers of disabling injuries and illnesses of this Nature. In Table 5-2, the top Source of injuries and illnesses of this Nature was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the top Event was overexertion in lifting. From Figure 5-1, the Part of body that produced the most 2002 FROI involving sprains, strains, tears was the lumbar region. The top-ranked Age group was 35-44 years and the Length-of-Service category producing the most FROI was under one year.
FIGURE 5-1: Occupations - Sprains, Strains, Tears (5,000 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations72.0%
Stock handlers and baggers2.5%
Janitors and cleaners4.6%
Laborers, except construction5.7%
Truck drivers6.8%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
8.4%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 48
Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back TABLE 5-3: Characteristics of Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 182 7.2
Laborers, except construction 138 5.5
Janitors and cleaners 109 4.3
Truck drivers 109 4.3
Construction laborers 58 2.3
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 330 13.1
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 205 8.2
NATURE OF INJURY/ Overexertion, unspecified 175 7.0
ILLNESS Repetitive motion, unspecified 153 6.1
Nonclassifiable 151 6.0
SORENESS, PAIN,
HURT, EXCEPT
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
THE BACK Bodily motion/position of injured worker 782 31.1
(2,512 FROI) Nonclassifiable 252 10.0
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 130 5.2
Floor of building 117 4.7
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 101 4.0
PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 602 24.0
Knee(s) 320 12.7
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 310 12.3
Wrist(s) 156 6.2
Ankle(s) 94 3.7
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 49
TABLE 5-3, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 723 28.8
45-54 622 24.8
NATURE OF INJURY/ 25-34 511 20.3
ILLNESS 55 and older 349 13.9
Under 25 307 12.2
SORENESS, PAIN,
HURT, EXCEPT
THE BACK LENGTH OF SERVICE
(2,512 FROI) Under 1 year 817 32.5
1 year to 2 years 342 13.6
2-4 years 447 17.8
5-14 years 582 23.2
15 years and above 289 11.5 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
The top five Occupations, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the soreness, pain, hurt, except the back Nature of injury or illness are shown in Figure 5-2.
As shown in Figure 5-2, many Occupations contributed 2002 FROI of this Nature although nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants was the top Occupation. From Table 5-3, the number one Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the highest-ranking Event was overexertion in lifting. The Part of body generating the most FROI was multiple body parts. The Age group most often involved in a report was 35-44 years and the Length-of-Service category most often reported was less than one year.
FIGURE 5-2: Occupations - Soreness, Pain, Hurt, Except the Back(2,512 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations76.3%
Construction laborers2.3%
Truck drivers4.3%
Janitors and cleaners4.3%
Laborers, except construction5.5% Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants7.2%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 50
Back Pain, Hurt Back TABLE 5-4: Characteristics of Back Pain, Hurt Back
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 149 11.1
Laborers, except construction 81 6.1
Truck drivers 74 5.5
Janitors and cleaners 55 4.1
Construction laborers 39 2.9
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Overexertion in lifting 480 35.9
Struck by falling object 122 9.1
NATURE OF INJURY/ Bending/climbing/crawling/reaching/twisting 103 7.7
IILLNESS Nonclassifiable 90 6.7
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 82 6.1
BACK PAIN,
HURT BACK SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(1,338 FROI) Bodily motion/position of injured worker 220 16.4
Nonclassifiable 159 11.9
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 132 9.9
Boxes, crates, cartons 114 8.5
Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 74 5.5
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 650 48.6
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 563 42.1
Thoracic region 64 4.8
Multiple back regions 43 3.2
Coccygeal region 8 0.6
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 51
TABLE 5-4, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 372 27.8
25-34 334 25.0
NATURE OF INJURY/ 45-54 293 21.9
IILLNESS Under 25 198 14.8
55 and older 141 10.5
BACK PAIN,
HURT BACK
(1,338 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 500 37.4
5-14 years 266 19.9
2-4 years 244 18.2
1 year to 2 years 182 13.6
15 years and above 122 9.1 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 5-3 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the back pain, hurt back Nature.
Figure 5-3 shows that the Occupation producing the most FROI involving back pain, hurt back was nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants. A wide variety of Occupations contributed to the 2002 FROI. According to Table 5-4, the top Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the top Event was overexertion in lifting. The Part of body affected most often reported was lumbar region. The Age group generating the most reports was 35-44 years and the Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 5-3: Occupations - Back Pain, Hurt Back (1,338 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations70.3%
Construction laborers2.9%
Janitors and cleaners4.1%
Truck drivers5.5%
Laborers, except construction6.1% Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants11.1%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 52
Bruises, Contusions TABLE 5-5: Characteristics of Bruises, Contusions
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Laborers, except construction 74 7.1
Truck drivers 63 6.0
Janitors and cleaners 55 5.3
Kitchen workers, food preparation 49 4.7
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 41 3.9
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 286 27.4
Struck against stationary object 119 11.4
NATURE OF INJURY/ Struck by falling object 98 9.4
IILLNESS Struck by object, not elsewhere classifiable 64 6.1
Fall down stairs or steps 39 3.7
BRUISES,
CONTUSIONS
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(1,045 FROI) Floor of building 162 15.5
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 80 7.7
Ground 73 7.0
Doors 37 3.5
Nonclassifiable 29 2.8
PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 188 18.0
Knee(s) 154 14.7
Foot(feet), except toe(s), unspecified 55 5.3
Chest, excluding internal location of disease/disorder 51 4.9
Head, unspecified 42 4.0
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 53
TABLE 5-5, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 271 25.9%
25-34 246 23.5%
NATURE OF INJURY/ 45-54 198 18.9%
ILLNESS Under 25 195 18.7%
55 and older 135 12.9%
BRUISES,
CONTUSIONS
(1,045 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 420 40.2%
2-4 years 190 18.2%
5-14 years 168 16.1%
1 year to 2 years 140 13.4%
15 years and above 90 8.6% FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
In Figure 5-4, the top five Occupations, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the bruises, contusions Nature are shown.
The Occupation reporting the most FROI involving bruises, contusion was laborers, except construction, as seen in Figure 5-4. Table 5-5 shows the top Source of injury or illness was floor of building. Walking surfaces, also including floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified and ground, combined for 30.2% of the FROI of this Nature. Fall to floor, walkway, or other surface was the top Event. Multiple body parts ranked first as Part of body affected. The top-ranked Age group was 35-44 years and the highest-ranked Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 5-4: Occupations - Bruises, Contusions (1,045 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations73.0%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
3.9%
Kitchen workers, food preparation
4.7%
Janitors and cleaners5.3%
Truck drivers6.0%
Laborers, except construction7.1%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 54
Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, Unspecified TABLE 5-6: Characteristics of Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, Unspecified
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Janitors and cleaners 44 5.3
Truck drivers 40 4.8
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 35 4.2
Stock handlers and baggers 34 4.1
Laborers, except construction 33 4.0
EVENT OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 120 14.4
Overexertion in lifting 87 10.5
NATURE OF INJURY/ Struck by falling object 41 4.9
IILLNESS Overexertion, unspecified 38 4.6
Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 35 4.2
TRAUMATIC
INJURIES AND
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
DISORDERS, UNS Bodily motion/position of inj worker 135 16.2
(831 FROI) Floor of building 64 7.7
Nonclassifiable 53 6.4
Ground 47 5.7
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 37 4.5
PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 162 19.5
Knee(s) 82 9.9
Lumbar region 75 9.0
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 64 7.7
Finger(s), fingernail(s) 39 4.7
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 55
TABLE 5-6, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 233 28.0
45-54 202 24.3
NATURE OF INJURY/ 25-34 170 20.5
ILLNESS Under 25 114 13.7
55 and older 112 13.5
TRAUMATIC
INJURIES AND
DISORDERS, UNS LENGTH OF SERVICE
(831 FROI) Under 1 year 281 33.8
5-14 years 171 20.6
2-4 years 168 20.2
1 year to 2 years 92 11.1
15 years and above 83 10.0 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 5-5 shows the five Occupations with the most reported disabling FROI for the traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified Nature for 2002.
From Figure 5-5, the Occupation for this Nature filing the most FROI in 2002 was janitors and cleaners, but all of the top five are close and other Occupations contributed many FROI. As to how workers were injured, Table 5-6 shows that the number one Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker and the top reported Event was fall to floor, walkway, or other surface. The most often reported body Part for all workers was multiple body parts. The top Age group was 35 to 44 and the most reported Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 5-5: Occupations - Traumatic Injuries and Disorders, UNS(831 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations77.6%
Laborers, except construction4.0%
Stock handlers and baggers4.1%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
4.2%
Truck drivers4.8%
Janitors and cleaners5.3%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 57
SECTION 6: THE FIVE EVENTS OR EXPOSURES MOST OFTEN REPORTED
Overview. Events or exposures, defined as the manner in which injuries and illnesses are inflicted or produced, are dealt with in this section. Table 6-1 below lists the top five Events or exposures in descending order by frequency of disabling case FROI for 2002. Together, these five Events accounted for 38.1% of all disabling case FROI reported for 2002. Overexertion in lifting was by far the number one reported Event followed by fall to floor, walkway, or other surface. These two Events accounted for 25.1% of all 2002 disabling cases. For each Event, the top five each of Occupation of the injured worker, Nature of the injury or illness, Source of the injury or illness, and Part of the body affected are tabulated by the disabling case frequency and percentage for that Event. Age of the injured worker and Length of Service of the injured worker are both broken down into five inclusive categories and these categories are ranked by the frequency of disabling cases reported for each. Again, the tabulated characteristics refer to the Event as a whole, not to the other tabulated characteristics. For example, the 55.6% of Nature (sprains, strains, tears) in the first row of the third column of Table 6-1 are NOT injuries and illnesses reported by nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants only but by ALL Occupations within overexertion in lifting, including those not listed. These top five Events shared a number of elements in common, although there were differences in characteristics of injuries and illnesses between them.
• Sprains, strains, tears ranked first in the Nature column for all of the top five Events, averaging 48.1%. Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back also appeared under all five Events, emphasizing the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders.
• The top Length-of-Service group affected by all Events was under 1 year. The average
proportion was 33.8%. • Injuries to the lumbar region and to the back, including spine, spinal cord unspecified
accounted for an average of 36.1% of FROI for the these top five Events. • The same four Occupations that appeared under all top five Natures in Section 5 again
appear here as affected by all top five Events. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants averaged 7.7% of FROI, truck drivers 5.9%. Janitors and cleaners and laborers, except construction, also appeared under all top five Events. These four Occupations are the four top ranking Occupations in terms of general disabling injuries and illnesses reported in 2002, as seen in Tables 2-2 and 4-1.
TA
BL
E 6
-1:
Top
5 E
vent
s for
200
2 w
ith T
op 5
Occ
upat
ions
, Nat
ures
, Sou
rces
, Par
ts, a
nd A
ge G
roup
s and
Len
gth-
of-S
ervi
ce
Cat
egor
ies f
or E
ach
Eve
nt
EV
EN
T
OC
CU
PAT
ION
*
FROI
%
NA
TU
RE
OF
INJU
RY
/IL
LN
ESS
*
FROI
%
SOU
RC
E O
F IN
JUR
Y/I
LL
NE
SS*
FROI
%
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts
335
13.3
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
1,39
955
.6
Box
es, c
rate
s, ca
rtons
46
3 18
.4
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 17
77.
0 B
ack
pain
, hur
t bac
k 42
1 16
.7
Hea
lth c
are
patie
nt/re
side
nt o
f hea
lth c
are
faci
lity
437
17.4
IN L
IFT
ING
T
ruck
Driv
ers
128
5.1
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
359
14.3
B
ags,
sack
s, to
tes
139
5.5
(2,5
18 F
RO
I) J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
114
4.5
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, UN
S 34
1 13
.5
Oth
er so
urce
s, no
t else
whe
re c
lass
ifiab
le
120
4.8
F
reig
ht/s
tock
/ mat
eria
l han
dler
s, N
EC
82
3.3
Her
nia,
not
else
whe
re c
lass
ifiab
le
338
13.4
N
oncl
assif
iabl
e 70
2.
8
T
ruck
Driv
ers
96
6.6
Spr
ains
, stra
ins,
tear
s 35
9 24
.6
Flo
or o
f bui
ldin
g 56
1 38
.5
FAL
L T
O F
LO
OR
, J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
72
4.9
Bru
ises
, con
tusio
ns
286
19.6
G
roun
d 32
5 22
.3
WA
LK
WA
Y, O
R
Nur
sing
aide
s, or
derli
es, a
nd a
ttend
ants
70
4.
8 F
ract
ures
21
7 14
.9
Flo
ors,
wal
kway
s, gr
ound
surfa
ces,
unsp
ecifi
ed
279
19.1
OT
HE
R S
UR
FAC
E
Kitc
hen
wor
kers
, foo
d pr
epar
atio
n 55
3.
8 S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
20
5 14
.1
Par
king
lots
12
9 8.
8
(1,4
59 F
RO
I) L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
52
3.6
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, UN
S 12
0 8.
2 S
idew
alks
, pat
hs, o
utdo
or w
alkw
ays
47
3.2
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts
80
10.3
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
341
43.9
O
ther
sour
ces,
not e
lsew
here
cla
ssifi
able
27
8 35
.8
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N,
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 54
7.
0 S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
17
5 22
.6
Non
clas
sifia
ble
260
33.5
UN
SPE
CIF
IED
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
41
5.3
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
122
15.7
H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y60
7.
7
(776
FR
OI)
Tru
ck D
river
s 34
4.
4 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, U
NS
38
4.9
Too
ls, in
stru
men
ts, a
nd e
quip
men
t, un
spec
ified
16
2.
1
S
tock
han
dler
s and
bag
gers
20
2.
6 N
oncl
assif
iabl
e 21
2.
7 P
erso
n - o
ther
than
inju
red/
ill w
orke
r, N
EC
11
1.4
T
ruck
Driv
ers
71
10.2
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
421
60.3
C
art,
dolly
, han
d tru
ck
100
14.3
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N IN
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
48
6.9
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
103
14.8
H
ealth
car
e pa
tient
/resi
dent
of h
ealth
car
e fa
cilit
y37
5.
3
PUL
LIN
G/P
USH
ING
L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
47
6.7
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
73
10.5
B
oxes
, cra
tes,
carto
ns
34
4.9
OB
JEC
TS
Sto
ck h
andl
ers a
nd b
agge
rs
42
6.0
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
35
5.0
Bro
oms,
mop
s, an
d ot
her c
lean
ing
tool
s 23
3.
3
(698
FR
OI)
Nur
sing
aide
s, or
derli
es, a
nd a
ttend
ants
40
5.
7 I
ngui
nal h
erni
a 17
2.
4 R
eels,
rolls
22
3.
2
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts
26
4.4
Spr
ains
, stra
ins,
tear
s 33
3 56
.3
Bod
ily m
otio
n / p
ositi
on o
f inj
ured
wor
ker
591
100.
0
BE
ND
ING
/CL
IMB
ING
/ L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
24
4.1
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
103
17.4
CR
AW
LIN
G/R
EA
CH
ING
/ Ja
nito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
22
3.7
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
98
16.6
TW
IST
ING
T
ruck
Driv
ers
20
3.4
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, UN
S 22
3.
7
(591
FR
OI)
Mis
cella
neou
s mac
hine
ope
rato
rs, N
EC
19
3.2
Dis
loca
tions
6
1.0
T
hese
col
umns
refe
r to
the
Even
t ind
icat
ed, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r det
aile
d cl
assi
ficat
ion.
NEC
= N
ot E
lsew
here
Cla
ssifi
able
, not
fitti
ng a
vaila
ble
clas
sific
atio
ns.
Non
clas
sifia
ble
= in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for
c
lass
ifica
tion.
Con
tinue
d ne
xt p
age.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 58 Bureau of Labor Standards
TA
BL
E 6
-1, c
ontin
ued
EV
EN
T
PAR
T O
F B
OD
Y*
FROI
%
AG
E O
F IN
JUR
ED
W
OR
KE
R*
FROI
%
LE
NG
TH
OF
SER
VIC
E *
FROI
%
L
umba
r reg
ion
851
33.8
3
5-44
74
1 29
.4
Und
er 1
yea
r 98
2 39
.0
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
419
16.6
2
5-34
62
9 25
.0
2-4
yea
rs
471
18.7
IN L
IFT
ING
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
277
11.0
4
5-54
52
0 20
.7
5-1
4 ye
ars
457
18.1
(2,5
18 F
RO
I) M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
16
9 6.
7 U
nder
25
401
15.9
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
322
12.8
M
ultip
le tr
unk
loca
tions
68
2.
7 5
5 an
d ol
der
227
9.0
15
year
s and
abo
ve
208
8.3
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
34
3 23
.5
45-
54
350
24.0
U
nder
1 y
ear
505
34.6
FAL
L T
O F
LO
OR
, K
nee(
s)
206
14.1
3
5-44
34
0 23
.3
5-1
4 ye
ars
320
21.9
WA
LK
WA
Y, O
R
Ank
le(s
) 13
0 8.
9 5
5 an
d ol
der
312
21.4
2
-4 y
ears
25
5 17
.5
OT
HE
R S
UR
FAC
E
Lum
bar r
egio
n 10
0 6.
9 2
5-34
28
2 19
.3
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 16
6 11
.4
(1,4
59 F
RO
I) B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 81
5.
6 U
nder
25
175
12.0
1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
16
4 11
.2
L
umba
r reg
ion
149
19.2
3
5-44
21
7 28
.0
Und
er 1
yea
r 26
3 33
.9
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N,
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
117
15.1
4
5-54
20
3 26
.2
5-1
4 ye
ars
163
21.0
UN
SPE
CIF
IED
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
99
12.8
2
5-34
16
2 20
.9
2-4
yea
rs
141
18.2
(776
FR
OI)
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
88
11.3
U
nder
25
97
12.5
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
99
12.8
K
nee(
s)
41
5.3
55
and
olde
r 97
12
.5
15
year
s and
abo
ve
89
11.5
L
umba
r reg
ion
170
24.4
3
5-44
22
9 32
.8
Und
er 1
yea
r 23
3 33
.4
OV
ER
EX
ER
TIO
N IN
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
117
16.8
4
5-54
16
3 23
.4
2-4
yea
rs
148
21.2
PUL
LIN
G/P
USH
ING
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 76
10
.9
25-
34
152
21.8
5
-14
year
s 13
2 18
.9
OB
JEC
TS
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
43
6.2
55
and
olde
r 78
11
.2
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 85
12
.2
(698
FR
OI)
Kne
e(s)
31
4.
4 U
nder
25
76
10.9
1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
81
11
.6
L
umba
r reg
ion
194
32.8
3
5-44
17
1 28
.9
Und
er 1
yea
r 16
5 27
.9
BE
ND
ING
/CL
IMB
ING
/ K
nee(
s)
110
18.6
4
5-54
15
0 25
.4
5-1
4 ye
ars
147
24.9
CR
AW
LIN
G/R
EA
CH
ING
/ B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 90
15
.2
25-
34
136
23.0
2
-4 y
ears
11
2 19
.0
TW
IST
ING
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
44
7.4
55
and
olde
r 78
13
.2
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 78
13
.2
(591
FR
OI)
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
29
4.9
Und
er 2
5 56
9.
5 1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
76
12
.9
* Th
ese
colu
mns
refe
r to
the
Even
t ind
icat
ed, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r det
aile
d cl
assi
ficat
ion.
NEC
= N
ot E
lsew
here
Cla
ssifi
able
, not
fitti
ng a
vaila
ble
clas
sific
atio
ns.
Non
clas
sifia
ble
= in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for
clas
sific
atio
n
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 59 Bureau of Labor Standards
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 60
Overexertion in Lifting TABLE 6-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion in Lifting
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 335 13.3
Laborers, except construction 177 7.0
Truck Drivers 128 5.1
Janitors and cleaners 114 4.5
Freight / stock / material handlers, not elsewhere classifiable 82 3.3
NATURE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 1,399 55.6
Back pain, hurt back 421 16.7
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 359 14.3
EVENT Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 341 13.5
Hernia, not elsewhere classifiable 338 13.4
OVEREXERTION
IN LIFTING
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(2,518 FROI) Boxes, crates, cartons 463 18.4
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 437 17.4
Bags, sacks, totes 139 5.5
Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 120 4.8
Nonclassifiable 70 2.8
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 851 33.8
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 419 16.6
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 277 11.0
Multiple body parts 169 6.7
Multiple trunk locations 68 2.7
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 61
TABLE 6-2, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 741 29.4
25-34 629 25.0
45-54 520 20.7
EVENT Under 25 401 15.9
55 and older 227 9.0
OVEREXERTION
IN LIFTING
(2,518 FROI) LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 982 39.0
2-4 years 471 18.7
5-14 years 457 18.1
1 year to 2 years 322 12.8
15 years and above 208 8.3 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 6-1 shows the five Occupations with the most reported disabling FROI for the overexertion in lifting Event for 2002.
As shown in Figure 6-1, the Occupation that reported the most disabling injuries and illnesses resulting from overexertion in lifting in 2002 was nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants but many Occupations reported this Event. In Table 6-2, the top Nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, tears and the top Source of injuries and illnesses connected with this Event was boxes, crates, cartons. From Figure 5-1, the Part of body that produced the most 2002 FROI involving overexertion in lifting was the lumbar region. The top-ranked Age group was 35-44 years and the top Length-of-Service group was under one year.
FIGURE 6-1: Occupations - Overexertion in Lifting(2,518 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations66.8%
Freight/stock/material handlers, NEC
3.3%
Janitors and cleaners4.5%
Truck drivers5.1%
Laborers, except construction7.0%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
13.3%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 62
Fall to Floor, Walkway, or Other Surface TABLE 6-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Fall to Floor, Walkway, or
Other Surface.
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Truck Drivers 96 6.6
Janitors and cleaners 72 4.9
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 70 4.8
Kitchen workers, food preparation 55 3.8
Laborers, except construction 52 3.6
NATURE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 359 24.6
Bruises, contusions 286 19.6
Fractures 217 14.9
EVENT Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 205 14.1
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 120 8.2
FALL TO FLOOR,
WALKWAY, OR
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
OTHER SURFACE Floor of building 561 38.5
(1,459 FROI) Ground 325 22.3
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified 279 19.1
Parking lots 129 8.8
Sidewalks, paths, outdoor walkways 47 3.2
PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 343 23.5
Knee(s) 206 14.1
Ankle(s) 130 8.9
Lumbar region 100 6.9
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 81 5.6
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 63
TABLE 6-3, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
45-54 350 24.0
35-44 340 23.3
55 and older 312 21.4
EVENT 25-34 282 19.3
Under 25 175 12.0
FALL TO FLOOR,
WALKWAY, OR
OTHER SURFACE LENGTH OF SERVICE
(1,459 FROI) Under 1 year 505 34.6
5-14 years 320 21.9
2-4 years 255 17.5
1 year to 2 years 166 11.4
15 years and above 164 11.2 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
The top five Occupations, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the fall to floor, walkway, or other surface Event or exposure are shown in Figure 6-2.
As shown in Figure 6-2, many Occupations contributed 2002 FROI under this Event although truck drivers was the top Occupation. From Table 6-3, the highest-ranking Nature was sprains, strains, tears and the number one Source was floor of building. The Part of body generating the most FROI was multiple body parts. The Age group most often involved in a report was 45-54 years and the Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 6-2: Occupations - Fall to Floor, Walkway, or Other Surface(1,459 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations76.4%
Laborers, except construction3.6%
Kitchen workers, food preparation
3.8%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
4.8%
Janitors and cleaners4.9%
Truck drivers6.6%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 64
Overexertion, Unspecified TABLE 6-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion, Unspecified
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Stock handlers and baggers 80 10.3
Laborers, except construction 54 7.0
Janitors and cleaners 41 5.3
Truck Drivers 34 4.4
Stock handlers and baggers 20 2.6
NATURE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 341 43.9
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 175 22.6
Back pain, hurt back 122 15.7
EVENT Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 38 4.9
Nonclassifiable 21 2.7
OVEREXERTION,
UNSPECIFIED*
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
(776 FROI) Other sources, not elsewhere classifiable 278 35.8
Nonclassifiable 260 33.5
Health care patient/resident of health care facility 60 7.7
Tools, instruments, and equipment, unspecified 16 2.1
Person - other than injured/ill worker, not elsewhere classifiable 11 1.4
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 149 19.2
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 117 15.1
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 99 12.8
Multiple body parts 88 11.3
Knee(s) 41 5.3
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
* Unspecified denotes insufficient data for more detailed classification
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 65
TABLE 6-4, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 217 28.0
45-54 203 26.2
25-34 162 20.9
EVENT Under 25 97 12.5
55 and older 97 12.5
OVEREXERTION,
UNSPECIFIED LENGTH OF SERVICE OF
(776 FROI) INJURED WORKER
Under 1 year 263 33.9
5-14 years 163 21.0
2-4 years 141 18.2
1 year to 2 years 99 12.8
15 years and above 89 11.5 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 6-3 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the overexertion, unspecified Event.
Figure 6-3 shows that the Occupation producing the most FROI involving overexertion, unspecified was nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants. A wide variety of Occupations contributed to the 2002 FROI for this Event. According to Table 6-4, the top Nature was sprains, strains ,tears and the top Source of injury or illness was other sources, not elsewhere classifiable – that is, Sources not fitting the standard coding classifications. The Part of body affected most often reported was lumbar region. The Age group generating the most FROI was 35-44 years and the highest-ranking Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 6-3: Occupations - Overexertion, UNS (776 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations70.5%
Stock handlers and baggers2.6%
Truck drivers4.4%
Janitors and cleaners5.3%
Laborers, except construction7.0% Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants10.3%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 66
Overexertion in Pulling/Pushing Objects TABLE 6-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Overexertion in Pulling/
Pushing Objects
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Truck Drivers 71 10.2
Janitors and cleaners 48 6.9
Laborers, except construction 47 6.7
Stock handlers and baggers 42 6.0
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 40 5.7
NATURE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 421 60.3
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 103 14.8
Back pain, hurt back 73 10.5
EVENT Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 35 5.0
Inguinal hernia 17 2.4
OVEREXERTION IN
PULLING/PUSHING
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
OBJECTS Cart, dolly, hand truck 100 14.3
(698 FROI) Health care patient/resident of health care facility 37 5.3
Boxes, crates, cartons 34 4.9
Brooms, mops, and other cleaning tools 23 3.3
Reels, rolls 22 3.2
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 170 24.4
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 117 16.8
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 76 10.9
Multiple body parts 43 6.2
Knee(s) 31 4.4
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 67
TABLE 6-5, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 229 32.8
45-54 163 23.4
25-34 152 21.8
EVENT 55 and older 78 11.2
Under 25 76 10.9
OVEREXERTION IN
PULLING/PUSHING
OBJECTS LENGTH OF SERVICE
(698 FROI) Under 1 year 233 33.4
2-4 years 148 21.2
5-14 years 132 18.9
1 year to 2 years 85 12.2
15 years and above 81 11.6 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
In Figure 6-4, the top five Occupations, in terms of FROI recorded in 2002, for the overexertion in pulling/pushing objects Event are shown.
The Occupation reporting the most FROI involving overexertion in pulling/pushing objects was truck drivers, as seen in Figure 6-4. Table 6-5 shows sprains, strains, tears was the top ranking Nature of injury or illness. The top Source of injury or illness was cart, dolly, hand truck. Lumbar region was the first ranked Part of body affected. The top-ranked Age group was 35-44 years and the most-reported Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 6-4: Occupations - Overexertion in Pulling/Pushing Objects(698 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations64.5%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
5.7%
Stock handlers and baggers6.0%
Laborers, except construction6.7%
Janitors and cleaners6.9% Truck drivers
10.2%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 68
Bending/Climbing/Crawling/Reaching/Twisting TABLE 6-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Bending/Climbing/Crawling/
Reaching/Twisting
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 26 4.4
Laborers, except construction 24 4.1
Janitors and cleaners 22 3.7
Truck Drivers 20 3.4
Miscellaneous machine operators, not elsewhere classifiable 19 3.2
NATURE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 333 56.3
Back pain, hurt back 103 17.4
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 98 16.6
EVENT Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 22 3.7
Dislocations 6 1.0
BENDING/CLIMBING/
CRAWLING/REACHING/
SOURCE OF INJURY/ILLNESS
TWISTING Bodily motion / position of injured worker 591 100.0
(591 FROI)
PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 194 32.8
Knee(s) 110 18.6
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 90 15.2
Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 44 7.4
Multiple body parts 29 4.9
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease. Continued next page.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 69
TABLE 6-6, continued
AGE OF INJURED WORKER FRO
I
%
35-44 171 28.9
45-54 150 25.4
25-34 136 23.0
EVENT 55 and older 78 13.2
Under 25 56 9.5
BENDING/CLIMBING/
CRAWLING/REACHING/
TWISTING LENGTH OF SERVICE
(591 FROI) Under 1 year 165 27.9
5-14 years 147 24.9
2-4 years 112 19.0
1 year to 2 years 78 13.2
15 years and above 76 12.9 FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease.
Figure 6-5 shows the five Occupations with the most reported disabling FROI for the bending/climbing/crawling/reaching/twisting Event for 2002.
From Figure 6-5, the Occupation for this Event filing the most FROI in 2002 was nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants, but all of the top five are close and many other Occupations contributed FROI. Table 6-6 shows that the top reported Nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, tears. As to how workers were injured, the only Source of injury or illness was bodily motion/position of injured worker by definition. Lumbar region was the most often reported body Part. The top Age group was 35 to 44 and the most reported Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 6-5: Occupations - Bending/Climbing/Crawling/Reaching/Twisting(591 Disabling FROI)
Other Occupations81.2%
Misc. machine operators, NEC3.2%
Truck drivers3.4%
Janitors and cleaners3.7%
Laborers, except construction4.1%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
4.4%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 71
SECTION 7: THE FIVE SOURCES OF INJURY OR ILLNESS MOST OFTEN REPORTED
Overview Source of injury or illness identifies the object, substance, bodily motion, or work environment that directly produced or inflicted the injury or illness. Taken together with Event (Section 6 above), Source provides a picture of how workers are being injured on the job. Information on the five Sources with the highest frequencies of disabling FROI for 2002 is presented in this section. Table 7-1 below lists the top five Sources in descending order. Together, these five Sources accounted for 40.7% of all disabling cases reported for 2002. Bodily motion/ position of injured worker fell in first place, itself accounting for 19% of the 2002 total. For each Source, the top five each of Occupation, Nature of the injury or illness, and Part of the body affected are tabulated by the disabling case frequency and percentage for that Occupation. Age of the injured worker and Length of Service of the injured worker are both broken down into five inclusive categories and these categories are ranked by the frequency of disabling cases reported for each. Again, the tabulated characteristics refer to the Source as a whole, not to the other tabulated characteristics. For example, the 41.3% of Nature (sprains, strains, tears) in the first row of the third column of Table 7-1 are NOT injuries and illnesses reported by laborers, except construction, only but by ALL Occupations within bodily motion/position of injured worker, including those Occupations not listed. While there were considerable differences in characteristics of injuries and illnesses between these top five Sources, a few elements were shared in common
• Sprains, strains, tears was the number one reported Nature for all top five Sources,
averaging 38.8% of FROI.
• As in Sections 4 through 6, the top Length-of-Service group was under 1 year, averaging 36.6% of reported disabling injuries and illnesses for the top five Sources of injury or illness. This evidence strongly suggests that intervention efforts should be directed toward new hires.
• Lumbar region was the only Part of body common to all five Sources, averaging 18.6%
of FROI but ranging from 6.2% to 31.7%.
TA
BL
E 7
-1:
Top
5 S
ourc
es fo
r 20
02 w
ith T
op 5
Occ
upat
ions
, Nat
ures
, Par
ts, a
nd A
ge G
roup
s and
Len
gth-
of-S
ervi
ce C
ateg
orie
s for
E
ach
Sour
ce
SOU
RC
E
OC
CU
PAT
ION
*
FROI
%
NA
TU
RE
OF
INJU
RY
/IL
LN
ESS
*
FROI
%
PAR
T O
F B
OD
Y*
FROI
%
L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
120
4.0
Spr
ains
, stra
ins,
tear
s 1,
242
41.3
K
nee(
s)
440
14.6
BO
DIL
Y M
OT
ION
/ T
ruck
Driv
ers
120
4.0
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
782
26.0
W
rist(s
) 38
012
.6
POSI
TIO
N O
F J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
106
3.5
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
220
7.3
Lum
bar r
egio
n 35
411
.8
INJU
RE
D W
OR
KE
R
Cas
hier
s 91
3.
0 C
arpa
l tun
nel s
yndr
ome
183
6.1
Ank
le(s
) 29
99.
9
(3,0
10 F
RO
I) N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts77
2.
6 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, u
nspe
cifie
d 13
5 4.
5 M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
26
78.
9
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts77
6.
3 S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
283
23.1
L
umba
r reg
ion
156
12.8
L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
72
5.9
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
252
20.6
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 13
411
.0
NO
NC
LA
SSIF
IAB
LE
T
ruck
Driv
ers
53
4.3
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
159
13.0
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
12
810
.5
(1,2
23 F
RO
I) C
onst
ruct
ion
Labo
rers
45
3.
7 N
oncl
assif
iabl
e 82
6.
7 S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
95
7.8
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
41
3.4
Mul
tiple
sym
ptom
s 63
5.
2 B
ody
Syst
ems
70
5.7
J
anito
rs a
nd c
lean
ers
51
6.4
Spr
ains
, stra
ins,
tear
s 18
2 22
.9
Mul
tiple
bod
y pa
rts
184
23.1
FLO
OR
OF
Kitc
hen
wor
kers
, foo
d pr
epar
atio
n 48
6.
0 B
ruis
es, c
ontu
sions
16
2 20
.4
Kne
e(s)
14
718
.5
BU
ILD
ING
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts40
5.
0 S
oren
ess,
pain
, hur
t, ex
cept
the
back
11
7 14
.7
Ank
le(s
) 56
7.
0
(796
FR
OI)
Lab
orer
s, ex
cept
con
stru
ctio
n 31
3.
9 F
ract
ures
10
7 13
.4
Lum
bar r
egio
n 49
6.
2
C
ashi
ers
21
2.6
Tra
umat
ic in
jurie
s & d
isor
ders
, uns
peci
fied
64
8.0
Bac
k, in
clud
ing
spin
e, sp
inal
cor
d, U
NS
38
4.8
HE
AL
TH
CA
RE
N
ursin
g ai
des,
orde
rlies
, and
atte
ndan
ts53
968
.9
Spr
ains
, stra
ins,
tear
s 44
0 56
.3
Lum
bar r
egio
n 23
930
.6
PAT
IEN
T/R
ESI
DE
NT
R
egis
tere
d nu
rses
10
913
.9
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
132
16.9
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 12
215
.6
OF
HE
AL
TH
CA
RE
H
ealth
aid
es, e
xclu
ding
nur
sing
34
4.3
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
130
16.6
M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
93
11
.9
FAC
ILIT
Y
Hea
lth te
chno
logi
sts/
tech
nici
ans,
NEC
24
3.
1 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, u
nspe
cifie
d 26
3.
3 S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
86
11.0
(782
FR
OI)
Soc
ial w
orke
rs
10
1.3
Non
clas
sifia
ble
13
1.7
Mul
tiple
trun
k lo
catio
ns
28
3.6
L
abor
ers,
exce
pt c
onst
ruct
ion
81
12.6
S
prai
ns, s
train
s, te
ars
324
50.5
L
umba
r reg
ion
203
31.7
BO
XE
S, C
RA
TE
S,
Sto
ck h
andl
ers a
nd b
agge
rs
57
8.9
Bac
k pa
in, h
urt b
ack
114
17.8
B
ack,
incl
udin
g sp
ine,
spin
al c
ord,
UN
S 82
12
.8
CA
RT
ON
S F
reig
ht/s
tock
/mat
eria
l han
dler
s, N
EC
39
6.1
Sor
enes
s, pa
in, h
urt,
exce
pt th
e ba
ck
78
12.2
S
houl
der,
incl
udin
g cl
avic
le, s
capu
la
68
10.6
(641
FR
OI)
Tru
ck D
river
s 32
5.
0 T
raum
atic
inju
ries &
dis
orde
rs, u
nspe
cifie
d 35
5.
5 M
ultip
le b
ody
parts
43
6.
7
C
ashi
ers
30
4.7
Bru
ises
, con
tusio
ns
24
3.7
Gro
in
22
3.4
* Th
ese
colu
mns
refe
r to
the
Sour
ce in
dica
ted,
not
to o
ther
col
umns
or e
ntri
es w
ithin
thos
e co
lum
ns.
FRO
I = F
irst
Rep
orts
of O
ccup
atio
nal I
njur
y or
Dis
ease
. U
NS
= U
nspe
cifie
d, in
suff
icie
nt d
ata
for d
etai
led
clas
sific
atio
n. N
EC =
Not
Els
ewhe
re C
lass
ifiab
le, n
ot fi
tting
ava
ilabl
e cl
assi
ficat
ions
. N
oncl
assi
fiabl
e =
insu
ffic
ient
dat
a fo
r cl
assi
ficat
ion.
Con
tinue
d ne
xt p
age.
_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 72 Bureau of Labor Standards
T
AB
LE
7-1
, con
tinue
d
SOU
RC
E
AG
E O
F IN
JUR
ED
W
OR
KE
R*
FROI
%
LE
NG
TH
OF
SER
VIC
E *
FROI
%
3
5-44
88
1 29
.3
Und
er 1
yea
r 81
0 26
.9
BO
DIL
Y M
OT
ION
/ 4
5-54
80
3 26
.7
5-1
4 ye
ars
687
22.8
POSI
TIO
N O
F 2
5-34
61
6 20
.5
2-4
yea
rs
591
19.6
INJU
RE
D W
OR
KE
R
55
and
olde
r 40
9 13
.6
15
year
s and
abo
ve
443
14.7
(3,0
10 F
RO
I) U
nder
25
301
10.0
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
404
13.4
3
5-44
34
2 28
.0
Und
er 1
yea
r 42
3 34
.6
4
5-54
30
8 25
.2
5-1
4 ye
ars
263
21.5
NO
NC
LA
SSIF
IAB
LE
2
5-34
28
1 23
.0
2-4
yea
rs
207
16.9
(1,2
23 F
RO
I) U
nder
25
172
14.1
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
163
13.3
5
5 an
d ol
der
120
9.8
15
year
s and
abo
ve
131
10.7
3
5-44
19
1 24
.0
Und
er 1
yea
r 30
4 38
.2
FLO
OR
OF
45-
54
182
22.9
5
-14
year
s 16
4 20
.6
BU
ILD
ING
5
5 an
d ol
der
166
20.9
2
-4 y
ears
13
3 16
.7
(796
FR
OI)
25-
34
144
18.1
1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
92
11
.6
U
nder
25
113
14.2
1
yea
r to
2 ye
ars
80
10.1
HE
AL
TH
CA
RE
4
5-54
16
0 20
.5
Und
er 1
yea
r 34
4 44
.0
PAT
IEN
T/R
ESI
DE
NT
2
5-34
22
1 28
.3
5-1
4 ye
ars
138
17.6
OF
HE
AL
TH
CA
RE
3
5-44
19
9 25
.4
2-4
yea
rs
130
16.6
FAC
ILIT
Y
Und
er 2
5 14
4 18
.4
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 11
8 15
.1
(782
FR
OI)
55
and
olde
r 58
7.
4 1
5 ye
ars a
nd a
bove
26
3.
3
3
5-44
16
5 25
.7
Und
er 1
yea
r 25
3 39
.5
BO
XE
S, C
RA
TE
S,
25-
34
154
24.0
2
-4 y
ears
12
7 19
.8
CA
RT
ON
S 4
5-54
13
6 21
.2
5-1
4 ye
ars
110
17.2
(641
FR
OI)
Und
er 2
5 12
8 20
.0
1 y
ear t
o 2
year
s 83
12
.9
5
5 an
d ol
der
58
9.0
15
year
s and
abo
ve
50
7.8
*
The
se c
olum
ns re
fer t
o th
e So
urce
indi
cate
d, n
ot to
oth
er c
olum
ns o
r ent
ries
with
in th
ose
colu
mns
. FR
OI =
Fir
st R
epor
ts o
f
Occ
upat
iona
l Inj
ury
or D
isea
se.
UN
S =
Uns
peci
fied,
insu
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_________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor 73 Bureau of Labor Standards
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 74
Bodily Motion/Position of Injured Worker TABLE 7-2: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Bodily Motion/Position of
Injured Worker
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Laborers, except construction 120 4.0
Truck Drivers 120 4.0
Janitors and cleaners 106 3.5
Cashiers 91 3.0
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 77 2.6
NATURE OF INJURY OR ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 1,242 41.3
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 782 26.0
Back pain, hurt back 220 7.3
Carpal tunnel syndrome 183 6.1
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 135 4.5
SOURCE PART OF BODY
Knee(s) 440 14.6
BODILY MOTION/ Wrist(s) 380 12.6
POSITION OF Lumbar region 354 11.8
INJURED WORKER Ankle(s) 299 9.9
(3,010 FROI) Multiple body parts 267 8.9
AGE OF INJURED WORKER
35-44 881 29.3
45-54 803 26.7
25-34 616 20.5
55 and older 409 13.6
Under 25 301 10.0
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 810 26.9
5-14 years 687 22.8
2-4 years 591 19.6
15 years and above 443 14.7
1 year to 2 years 404 13.4
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 75
Figure 7-1 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI within the bodily motion/position of injured worker Source.
As can be seen in Figure 7-1, the highest proportion of reported disabling cases was shared by laborers, except construction, and by truck drivers. These proportions were small, however, and many Occupations reported disabling injuries and illnesses from this Source. Table 7-2 shows that the number one Nature of injury or illness for this Source was sprains, strains, tears. The most often reported body Part for all workers was knee(s). The top Age group affected by this Source of injury or illness was 35-44 years and the predominant Length-of-Service group was under one year.
FIGURE 7-1: Occupations - Bodily Motion/Position of Injured Worker(3,010 Disabling FROI)
Laborers, except construction
4.0%
Truck drivers4.0%
Janitors and cleaners3.5%
Cashiers3.0%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
2.6%
Other occupations82.9%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 76
Nonclassifiable TABLE 7-3: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Nonclassifiable Sources
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 77 6.3
Laborers, except construction 72 5.9
Truck Drivers 53 4.3
Construction Laborers 45 3.7
Janitors and cleaners 41 3.4
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 283 23.1
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 252 20.6
Back pain, hurt back 159 13.0
Nonclassifiable 82 6.7
Multiple symptoms 63 5.2
SOURCE PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 156 12.8
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 134 11.0
NONCLASSIFIABLE Multiple body parts 128 10.5
(1,223 FROI) Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 95 7.8
Body Systems 70 5.7
AGE OF INJURED WORKER
35-44 342 28.0
45-54 308 25.2
25-34 281 23.0
Under 25 172 14.1
55 and older 120 9.8
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 810 26.9
5-14 years 687 22.8
2-4 years 591 19.6
15 years and above 443 14.7
1 year to 2 years 404 13.4
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury and Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 77
Figure 7-2 below shows the five Occupations with the greatest number of reported disabling FROI under the nonclassifiable Source for 2002.
In terms of Occupation, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ranked first according to Figure 7-2. Table 7-3 shows that the top Nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, tears. The lumbar region was the body Part involved in the most reported disabling injuries and illnesses. When combined with the second place Part, back, including spine, spinal cord, it can be seen that the back in general produced 33.8% of the reported disabling injuries and illnesses from this Source. The first ranked Age group was again 35-44 years and the top Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 7-2: Occupations - Nonclassifiable Sources (1,223 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations76.5%
Janitors and cleaners3.4%
Construction laborers3.7%
Truck drivers4.3%
Laborers, except construction
5.9%Nursing aides, orderlies,
and attendants6.3%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 78
Floor of Building TABLE 7-4: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Floor of Building
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Janitors and cleaners 51 6.4
Kitchen workers, food preparation 48 6.0
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 40 5.0
Laborers, except construction 31 3.9
Cashiers 21 2.6
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 182 22.9
Bruises, contusions 162 20.4
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 117 14.7
Fractures 107 13.4
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 64 8.0
SOURCE PART OF BODY
Multiple body parts 184 23.1
FLOOR OF Knee(s) 147 18.5
BUILDING Ankle(s) 56 7.0
(796 FROI) Lumbar region 49 6.2
Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 38 4.8
AGE OF INJURED WORKER
35-44 191 24.0
45-54 182 22.9
55 and older 166 20.9
25-34 144 18.1
Under 25 113 14.2
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 304 38.2
5-14 years 164 20.6
2-4 years 133 16.7
15 years and above 92 11.6
1 year to 2 years 80 10.1
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 79
The top five Occupations, in terms of FROI reported in 2002, for the floor of building Source are shown in Figure 7-3.
Janitors and cleaners ranked first among Occupations affected by this Source, but, as shown in Figure 7-3, many other Occupations reported injuries and illnesses due to floor of building. Sprains, strains, tears was the top Nature of injury or illness, as seen in Table 7-4. The number one Part of body affected was multiple body parts. The top Age group was 35-44 years and the top Length-of-Service category was under one year.
FIGURE 7-3: Occupations - Floor of Building (796 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations76.0%
Cashiers2.6%
Laborers, except construction
3.9%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
5.0%
Kitchen Workers, Food Preparation
6.0%
Janitors and cleaners6.4%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 80
Health Care Patient/Resident of Health Care Facility TABLE 7-5: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Health Care Patient/
Resident of Health Care Facility
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 539 68.9
Registered nurses 109 13.9
Health aides, excluding nursing 34 4.3
Health technologists/technicians, not elsewhere classifiable 24 3.1
Social workers 10 1.3
NATURE OF INJURY OR ILLNESS
Sprains, strains, tears 440 56.3
Back pain, hurt back 132 16.9
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 130 16.6
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 26 3.3
Nonclassifiable 13 1.7
SOURCE PART OF BODY
HEALTH CARE Lumbar region 239 30.6
PATIENT/RESIDENT Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 122 15.6
OF HEALTH CARE Multiple body parts 93 11.9
FACILITY Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 86 11.0
(782 FROI) Multiple trunk locations 28 3.6
AGE OF INJURED WORKER
45-54 160 20.5
25-34 221 28.3
35-44 199 25.4
Under 25 144 18.4
55 and older 58 7.4
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 344 44.0
5-14 years 138 17.6
2-4 years 130 16.6
1 year to 2 years 118 15.1
15 years and above 26 3.3
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury or Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 81
Figure 7-4 presents the five Occupations reporting the highest frequency of disabling 2002 FROI due to the health care patient/resident of health care facility Source.
Figure 7-4 differs considerably in appearance from preceding Occupation pie charts. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants, together with registered nurses, accounted for over 80% of disabling FROI where the health care patient/resident of health care facility was identified as the Source. From Table 7-5, the top ranked Nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, tears. Lumbar region was the most reported injured body Part, and injuries to the back, also including back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified, accounted for 46.2% of all FROI for this Source. The top ranking Age group was 45-54 years and the top Length-of-Service group was under one year.
FIGURE 7-4: Occupations - Health Care Patient/Resident of Health Care Facility (782 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations8.4% Social workers
1.3%
Health technologists/ technicians, NEC
3.1%
Health aides, excluding nursing4.3%Registered nurses
13.9%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
68.9%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 82
Boxes, Crates, Cartons TABLE 7-6: Characteristics of Injuries and Illnesses Due to Boxes, Crates, Cartons
OCCUPATION FR
OI
%
Laborers, except construction 81 12.6
Stock handlers and baggers 57 8.9
Freight / stock / material handlers, not elsewhere classifiable 39 6.1
Truck Drivers 32 5.0
Cashiers 30 4.7
NATURE
Sprains, strains, tears 324 50.5
Back pain, hurt back 114 17.8
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 78 12.2
Traumatic injuries & disorders, unspecified 35 5.5
Bruises, contusions 24 3.7
SOURCE PART OF BODY
Lumbar region 203 31.7
BOXES, CRATES, Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified 82 12.8
CARTONS Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 68 10.6
(641 FROI) Multiple body parts 43 6.7
Groin 22 3.4
AGE OF INJURED WORKER
35-44 165 25.7
25-34 154 24.0
45-54 136 21.2
Under 25 128 20.0
55 and older 58 9.0
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Under 1 year 253 39.5
2-4 years 127 19.8
5-14 years 110 17.2
1 year to 2 years 83 12.9
15 years and above 50 7.8
FROI = First Reports of Occupational Injury of Disease
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 83
For the boxes, crates, cartons Source in the year 2002, Figure 7-5 shows the five Occupations with the highest frequency of disabling FROI.
In terms of Occupations for this Source, as diagrammed in Figure 3-5, laborers, except construction ranked first, but many Occupations contributed to the overall FROI frequency. Sprains, strains, tears was the most commonly reported Nature of injury or illness in Table 7-6. The back was the body Part producing the highest frequency of reported injury or illness, with first ranked lumbar region and second ranked back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified combined accounting for 44.5% of reported disabling injuries and illnesses due to boxes, crates, cartons. The 35-44 year Age and under one year Length-of-Service groupings appear at the top of their respective lists.
FIGURE 7-5: Occupations - Boxes, Crates, Cartons(641 Disabling FROI)
Other occupations62.7%
Cashiers4.7%
Truck Drivers5.0%
Freight/stock/ material handlers,
NEC6.1%
Stock handlers and baggers
8.9% Laborers, except construction
12.6%
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 84
SECTION 8: OCCUPATIONAL INJURY AND ILLNESS DATA PROFILES
Besides the information presented in this report, the Maine Department of Labor can produce detailed data by calendar year in a format called a profile, available by specific request and at no charge. A profile is a cross-tabulation of characteristics of reported disabling cases (cases resulting in at least one day away from work beyond the day of injury or illness) for a given year or years. A profile typically consists of the counts (frequencies) of:
1. Nature of injury or illness 2. Part of body affected
3. Source of injury or illness
4. Event or exposure
5. Occupation of injured or ill worker
6. Industry of injured or ill worker
A profile usually also includes counts of other parameters such as demographics (age, gender, length of service, county of injury, etc.), as well as day of the week and month the injury or illness occurred. Profiles can be requested by anyone who is interested in one or more specific criteria such as an Industry or a geographic area (one or more towns or counties). Also, requests can be made based on specific Nature of injury or illness, Part of body affected, Source of injury or illness, Event or exposure, and demographics. Examples of past profiles include: Disabling cases in the logging Industry Disabling cases in wholesale plumbing and heating supplies Amputations Disabling cases affecting older workers (age 45 and older)
Disabling cases at a specific hospital Disabling cases occurring in Kennebec County One can also request a tightly focused profile: i.e., a profile given a narrower scope by cross-tabulating multiple criteria. For example, one could request:
A profile of the back injuries occurring in paper mills (two criteria)
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 85
Profile of the retail sales injuries in Somerset County (two criteria) A profile of injuries to truck drivers age 50 and older (two criteria) A profile of back injuries occurring to women in the city of Westbrook (three criteria, a
three-way cross-tabulation) Besides the standard profiles available, the Department can respond to special requests on publicly available data in the WCB files: for example, cross-tabulations of Nature by Part, Source by Event, Age group by Length of Service, and so forth. Special tables can be run on Age groups other than those used in Table 8-1: e.g., looking at workers aged 60-69 vs. 70-79. Under Department policy, profiles of specific companies are issued only to confirmed officials of the company requested. Company data is available to others directly from the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) however. Access to data identifying specific employees is restricted and use or release of such information requires the written permission of the WCB. Once permission is granted the BLS can fulfill the specific data request. For example, the Department used WCB data to generate an injury profile of recent graduates of a particular college in Maine. A sample three-way cross-tabulation profile is provided below. It covers janitors and cleaners (Occupation) in elementary and secondary schools (Industry) in Cumberland County (geographic location) for the years 2000-2002. The sample profile contains tables for the “standard” characteristics, Nature, Part, Source, and Event. Occupation and Industry are part of the criteria of selection and are omitted. These tables list both count (frequency) and percent by year, with the years ordered by total number of disabling cases, rather than chronologically. Additional characteristics include Age, Length of Service, Day of the week, and Month of injury or illness. The latter three are tabulated by year in chronological order, but Age is given only as combined figures for the whole three-year period with columns for cumulative frequency and cumulative percent. This illustrates the variety of forms of presentation possible within a profile. Other characteristics, such as gender of the worker, could have been included, or used as criteria. The sample profile lists ALL disabling cases that meet the criteria, including single-instance examples, and ONLY those cases that meet the criteria. Its results therefore differ from the general results under janitors and cleaners in this report (Table 4-5). For example, fall down stairs or steps appears in the top five Events in the year 2002 in the profile (Table 8-5) but not in Table 4-5 of the general report. In such differences lie the questions that can lead to a safer workplace for janitors and cleaners in primary and secondary schools in Cumberland County. A profile allows examination of a specific area of the available data in detail. If you have further questions or would like to request a specific profile or special study, please contact Steve Laundrie at the Maine Department of Labor at (207) 624-6447 or e-mail [email protected]
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 86
Sample Profile
The following is a three-way cross tabulation, or three-criteria focused data profile, more-or-less as the results would be presented to the requester. (There would actually be three additional very brief tables showing that 100% of the 113 cases fit each of the criteria.)
Table 8-1 2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases
JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumulative Cumulative AGE Frequency Percent Frequency Percent 19-24 2 1.8 2 1.8 25-29 3 2.7 5 4.4 30-34 6 5.3 11 9.7 35-39 16 14.2 27 23.9 40-44 14 12.4 41 36.3 45-49 16 14.2 57 50.4 50-54 16 14.2 73 64.6 55-59 21 18.6 94 83.2 60+ 19 16.8 113 100.0
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 87
Table 8-2
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2001 2002 2000 Nature of Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 43 100.0 37 100.0 33 100.0 * Sprains, strains, tears 40 13 30.2 12 32.4 15 45.5 Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 18 6 14.0 6 16.2 6 18.2 Traumatic inj & disorders, UNS 13 6 14.0 5 13.5 2 6.1 Back pain, hurt back 12 5 11.6 3 8.1 4 12.1 Bruises, contusions 8 3 7.0 4 10.8 1 3.0 Cuts, lacerations 3 1 2.3 0 0 2 6.1 Neurotic reaction to stress 3 1 2.3 0 0 2 6.1 Punctures, except bites 2 0 0 2 5.4 0 0 Hiatal hernia 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Hernia, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Dislocations 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Ganglion/cystic tumor 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Tendonitis 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 General symptoms, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Phlebitis 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Multiple traumatic inj. & disorders UNS 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Surface wounds & bruises, UNS 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Myocardial infarction (heart attack) 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Loss of consciousness – not heat related 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Symptoms, signs & ill-defined cond, UNS 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Fractures 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Other disord of peripheral nerv sys NEC 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications. UNS = Unspecified, insufficient data for detailed classification.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 88
Table 8-3
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2001 2002 2000 Part of Body
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 43 100.0 37 100.0 33 100.0 * Multiple body parts 18 11 25.6 5 13.5 2 6.1 Back, including spine, spinal cord, UNS 13 4 9.3 3 8.1 6 18.2 Lumbar region 10 3 7.0 3 8.1 4 12.1 Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula 10 2 4.7 3 8.1 5 15.2 Multiple trunk locations 5 2 4.7 1 2.7 2 6.1 Knee(s) 5 1 2.3 3 8.1 1 3.0 Wrist(s) 5 3 7.0 1 2.7 1 3.0 Thoracic region 4 1 2.3 2 5.4 1 3.0 Hand(s), except finger(s) 4 0 0 3 8.1 1 3.0 Foot(feet), except toe(s), UNS 4 1 2.3 2 5.4 1 3.0 Hip(s) 3 1 2.3 1 2.7 1 3.0 Body Systems 3 1 2.3 0 0 2 6.1 Leg(s), UNS 3 2 4.7 0 0 1 3.0 Ankle(s) 3 1 2.3 2 5.4 0 0 Groin 3 2 4.7 1 2.7 0 0 Lower leg(s) 2 1 2.3 0 0 1 3.0 Arm(s), UNS 2 1 2.3 0 0 1 3.0 Multiple foot(feet) locations 2 1 2.3 1 2.7 0 0 Multiple lower extremities locations NC 2 1 2.3 1 2.7 0 0 Head, UNS 2 2 4.7 0 0 0 0 Foot(feet) and ankle(s) 2 0 0 2 5.4 0 0 Finger(s), fingernail(s) 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Stomach organ 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Multiple upper extremities locations, NC 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Internal abdominal location, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Forehead 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Heart 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Brain 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Multiple leg(s) locations 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications. UNS = Unspecified, insufficient data for detailed classification.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 89
Table 8-4
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2001 2002 2000 Source of Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 43 100.0 37 100.0 33 100.0 * Bodily motion/position of injured worker 20 7 16.3 7 18.9 6 18.2 Floor of building 9 2 4.7 5 13.5 2 6.1 Tables, worktables 8 4 9.3 1 2.7 3 9.1 Nonclassifiable 7 3 7.0 0 0 4 12.1 Bags, sacks, totes 6 0 0 4 10.8 2 6.1 Floors, walkways, grounds surfaces, UNS 6 0 0 5 13.5 1 3.0
Stairs, steps – indoors 5 2 4.7 0 0 3 9.1 Bodily conditions of injured, ill worker 5 1 2.3 2 5.4 2 6.1 Vacuum cleaners 4 2 4.7 2 5.4 0 0 Chairs 3 2 4.7 0 0 1 3.0 Buckets, baskets, pails 3 2 4.7 0 0 1 3.0 Brooms, mops, and other cleaning tools 3 2 4.7 0 0 1 3.0 Boxes, crates, cartons 3 2 4.7 1 2.7 0 0 Shovels 3 3 7.0 0 0 0 0 Other sources, NEC 3 3 7.0 0 0 0 0 Desks 2 1 2.3 0 0 1 3.0 Parking lots 2 2 4.7 0 0 0 0 Knives 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Ground 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Furniture, UNS 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Furniture, NEC 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Ramps, runway, loading docks 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Handtools – nonpowered, NEC 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Recreation and athletic equipment, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Barrels, kegs, drums 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Cabinets, cases – display, storage 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Pickup truck 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Tanks, bins, vats 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Tractor 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Paper, books, magazines, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Dimensional lumber: 2x4, 2x3, etc. 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Windows 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Grandstands, stadia 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Stairs, steps – outdoors 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 (CONTINUED) NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications. UNS = Unspecified, insufficient data for detailed classification.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 90
Table 8-4, continued
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2001 2002 2000 Source of Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct * Rails 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Cranes – portal, tower, pillar 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Ranges/cooking ovens/grills/toasters 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0 Gates 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 91
Table 8-5
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2001 2002 2000 Event Leading to Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 43 100.0 37 100.0 33 100.0 * Overexertion in lifting 22 11 25.6 7 18.9 4 12.1 Fall to floor, walkway or other surface 15 4 9.3 7 18.9 4 12.1 Overexertn holdg/carryg/turng/wieldg obj 8 6 14.0 0 0 2 6.1 Fall down stairs or steps 6 0 0 3 8.1 3 9.1 Overexertion in pulling/pushing objects 6 1 2.3 4 10.8 1 3.0 Repetitive use of tools 5 1 2.3 1 2.7 3 9.1 Bodily conditions, NEC 5 1 2.3 2 5.4 2 6.1 Slip, trip, loss of balance – without fall 5 2 4.7 2 5.4 1 3.0 Overexertion, UNS 4 0 0 2 5.4 2 6.1 Overexertion, NEC 4 2 4.7 0 0 2 6.1 Fall onto or against objects 4 2 4.7 1 2.7 1 3.0 Repetitive motion, UNS 4 0 0 2 5.4 2 6.1 Struck by falling object 4 3 7.0 1 2.7 0 0 Bending/climbing/crawling/reachg/twistg 4 2 4.7 2 5.4 0 0 Nonclassifiable 3 1 2.3 0 0 2 6.1 Struck against stationary object 2 0 0 1 2.7 1 3.0 Bodily reaction and exertion, UNS 2 2 4.7 0 0 0 0 Fall from ladder 2 1 2.3 1 2.7 0 0 Struck by slipping handheld object 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Overexertion in throwing objects 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Fall, UNS 1 0 0 0 0 1 3.0 Bodily reaction, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Bodily reaction, UNS 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Struck against object, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Noncollision accident, NEC 1 1 2.3 0 0 0 0 Rubbed/abraded by kneeling on surface 1 0 0 1 2.7 0 0
NEC = Not Elsewhere Classifiable, not fitting available classifications. UNS = Unspecified, insufficient data for detailed classification.
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 92
Table 8-6
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2000 2001 2002 Length of Service of Injured Worker
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 33 100.0 43 100.0 37 100.0 * Unknown 12 0 0 4 9.3 8 21.6 Under 1 Year 19 4 12.1 8 18.6 7 18.9 1 year up to 2 years 6 0 0 4 9.3 2 5.4 2 years up to 3 years 5 2 6.1 3 7.0 0 0 3-4 years 13 5 15.2 4 9.3 4 10.8 5-9 years 23 7 21.2 8 18.6 8 21.6 10-14 years 23 10 30.3 9 20.9 4 10.8 15-19 years 4 2 6.1 1 2.3 1 2.7 20 years and above 8 3 9.1 2 4.7 3 8.1
Table 8-7
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2000 2001 2002 Day of the Week of Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 33 100.0 43 100.0 37 100.0 * Sunday 1 0 0 0 0 1 2.7 Monday 22 9 27.3 4 9.3 9 24.3 Tuesday 22 4 12.1 10 23.3 8 21.6 Wednesday 24 7 21.2 10 23.3 7 18.9 Thursday 23 8 24.2 9 20.9 6 16.2 Friday 15 3 9.1 10 23.3 2 5.4 Saturday 6 2 6.1 0 0 4 10.8
Characteristics of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine 2002
____________________________________________________________________________ Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards 93
Table 8-8
2000 through 2002 Maine Reported Workers’ Compensation Disabling Cases JANITORS AND CLEANERS IN SCHOOLS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Disabling Cases
Total 2000 2001 2002 Month of Injury
Number Number Pct Number Pct Number Pct Total 113 33 100.0 43 100.0 37 100.0 * January 7 4 12.1 1 2.3 2 5.4 February 15 4 12.1 7 16.3 4 10.8 March 15 4 12.1 6 14.0 5 13.5 April 8 1 3.0 3 7.0 4 10.8 May 14 4 12.1 6 14.0 4 10.8 June 12 6 18.2 5 11.6 1 2.7 July 6 1 3.0 2 4.7 3 8.1 August 14 4 12.1 7 16.3 3 8.1 September 6 1 3.0 3 7.0 2 5.4 October 5 0 0 1 2.3 4 10.8 November 4 1 3.0 1 2.3 2 5.4 December 7 3 9.1 1 2.3 3 8.1
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Characteristics of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Maine, 2002
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