Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106079

Jonathan N. Hofmann, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Box 357236, Seattle, WA 98195-7236, 206-579-2370, hofmann@u.washington.edu, Karen Snyder, PhD, MPH, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA 98195-7234, and Matthew Keifer, MD, MPH, Dep Env & Occ Hlth Sciences and Int Scholars Occ Env Hlth, University of Washington, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234.

Problem: Previous studies have reported high rates of occupational injury and illness among workers in the tree fruit industry. However, many common and preventable risk factors and conditions in orchards have not been investigated.

Methods: State Fund workers' compensation claims data for orchard workers in Region 5 of Washington between 1996 and 2001 were reviewed and categorized according to cause of injury. Claims data were analyzed to identify and prioritize common causes of injury in terms of frequency, severity, and cost.

Results: Of the 13,068 claims in the dataset, 4,020 (30.8%) were determined to be ladder-related injuries. Ladder-related claims accounted for nearly half (48%) of all compensable claims (e.g. claims involving time loss, disability, or loss of earning power in addition to medical expenses). Claims related to ladders were not only the most frequent, but were also the most expensive collectively in terms of medical aid, time loss, and other costs. On a per claim basis, ladder-related injuries were among the most severe and costly reported injuries. Other common causes of injury among claims were branches and vegetation; structure and material; and ground-related injuries.

Conclusions: There is a strong and compelling need to develop interventions to reduce the number of ladder-related injuries in orchards.

Learning Objectives:

OL>
• Identify several key occupational hazards associated with orchard work.
• Characterize ladder-related injuries in orchards with respect to their frequency, severity, and cost.
• Evaluate quantitative methods for data collection and analysis of occupational health hazards.

Keywords: Agricultural Work Safety, Workers' Compensation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation