May 3, 2006—The current national surveillance system may miss two-thirds of the occupational injuries and illnesses occurring in the United States, suggests a study in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Researchers at Michigan State University, East Lansing, combined four databases to identify work-related injuries and illnesses resulting in more than seven missed workdays and occurring in Michigan from 1999 through 2001. The results were matched to data from the national surveillance system for occupational injuries and illnesses maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A total of 79,400 occupational injuries and illnesses were identified by the four combined databases. In contrast, the BLS database estimated approximately 30,800 injuries and illnesses occurred during the same three-year period. The BLS failed to account for 61 percent of work-related injuries and illnesses.
The researchers conclude that while BLS statistics suggest work-related injuries affect 1 in 15 Michigan workers per year, their new results suggest the true rate is closer to 1 in 5.
For more information, visit the Journal’s Web site
