 Back to Annual Meeting
|
|
Back to Annual Meeting
|
APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing |
Abstract #147749
Audio (mp3) recordingJulie J. Gary, BS1, Ann Marie Dale, OTR/L2, Craig Hood3, John Gaal, D Ed3, Jaime Strickland, MA4, and Bradley A. Evanoff, MD, MPH1. (1) Department of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8005, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, (2) Division of General Medical Sciences/ School of Public Health, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis/ Saint Louis University, Campus Box 8005, 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110, 314-454-8470, adale@im.wustl.edu, (3) St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program, 8300 Valcour Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63123, (4) Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Campus Box 8005, 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110
Aims This study describes barriers to obtaining work exposure data from apprentice carpenters.
Methods Participating carpenters in a prospective study of carpal tunnel syndrome were contacted at their trade school to obtain consent; contractors were contacted to provide consent and schedule the worksite visits. Data collection included frequency of employer contacts, duration of visits, and number of contractor changes by participants.
Results Of 263 carpenters selected for the worksite visit, 125 (48%) consented to participate. Eighty-two (31%) subjects had left the industry and 51 (19%) stated personal reasons for refusal or dropped from the study. Five (1.9%) subjects felt the contractor would not approve the visit. To date, 44 of 51 contacted employers have provided consent for a completion of 57 visits. Seven companies declined consent: 2 for liability and 5 for workers' compensation concerns. Successfully completing a worksite visit required an average of four calls to schedule (range 1-11) and a mean of 116 minutes for travel and onsite time. On average, the subject changed contractors 4.3 times (range 1-27) during a two year period.
Conclusions Field data collection in construction entails numerous barriers including subject apprehension, transiency of workers, and the logistics of communicating with contractors, particularly small contractors who work out in the field. Overcoming these barriers is critical to gaining the information necessary to improve occupational health and safety in the construction sector.
Learning Objectives:
- Assess carpenter apprentices individual concerns regarding field research participation.
- Evaluate carpenter contractors concerns regarding field research participation.
Keywords: Construction Injuries, Occupational Exposure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Not Answered
The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA