Structural causes of occupational injuries and illnesses: A comparative analysis of Spain & u.s

We have identified structural causes of workplace injuries and illnesses in Spain. At issue is to what extent these are also influential factors in the U.S.

Two different econometric estimates were carried out in Spain using panel data techniques and logit econometric models. Similar models will be used to: a) analyze data for the entire U.S. from 1997 to 2010, and b) to analyze data from the different States of the US for the same time period. As explanatory variables in Spain we used GDP at market prices, the distribution of employed population among production sectors, size of business, and type of contract. The results were further broken down by age, gender, race, firm size, and migrant status of workers.

In accordance with previous studies, we verified in the model with aggregate data that the worker's age (16 to 19 years) and having a second job (either a temporary job or a full time job) are statistically significant predictors of occupational injuries and illnesses . GDP has an inverse association with occupational injuries and illnesses. In state-level analyses, the above results are confirmed, except for part-time work. In addition, the unemployment rate during the previous year had a positive association with the injury and illness rate in the current year. The states in which occupational injuries and illnesses are mostly affected by the explanatory variables were California, Texas, Florida and New York

The structural causes of occupational injuries and illnesses in the U.S. and Spain are similar.