Association between Body Mass Index and Acute Traumatic Workplace Injury in Hourly Manufacturing Employees

Abstract

In this study, the authors examined the distribution and odds of occupational injury among hourly employees of a US aluminum manufacturing company by body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)). In 2002, height and weight data on 7,690 workers at eight plants were extracted from medical records from annual physicals, and body mass index was categorized. Information on traumatic injuries recorded between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004, was obtained from a company injury surveillance system. Twenty-nine percent of the employees (n = 2,221) sustained at least one injury. Approximately 85 percent of injured workers were classified as overweight or obese. The odds of injury in the highest obesity group as compared with the ideal body mass index group were 2.21 (95% confidence interval: 1.34, 3.53), after adjustment for sex, age, education, smoking, physical demands of the job, plant process and location, time since hire, time in the job, and significant interaction terms. Injuries to the leg or knee were especially prevalent among members of this very obese group. Research findings support an association between body mass index and traumatic workplace injuries among manufacturing employees. Workplace safety personnel might consider adding policies or programs that address weight reduction and maintenance as part of ongoing comprehensive workplace safety strategies.

Prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of open-cast diamond mine in Namibia

“…According to a study conducted in the USA among aluminum manufacturing employees, the odds of injury among obese employees were high (2.21) compared to those with ideal body mass index (Pollack et al, 2007). In that study, approximately 85% of injured employees were either overweight or obese.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the consequences and determinants of obesity in the workplace. These studies have shown that employees with excessive body mass are at risk of chronic diseases of lifestyle and high occupational injury and this has great economic consequences in the organization (Pollack et al, 2007;Soteriades et al, 2005;Kartikeyan, Nagaonkar, 2002;Tucker & Clegg, 2002). …”

“…This presents strong evidence on the relationship between overweight and chronic diseases of lifestyle. However, obesity could have a significant cost to the organization in the form of high absenteeism, loss of productivity and accidents at work (Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn & Wang, 2005;Pollack et al, 2007). Standler (2006) concluded that, automation and mechanization combined with high fat and low fiber intake, as well as lack of exercise facility at the workplace were major contributors of excess body mass among employees.…”

Association between obesity and injury among Taiwanese adults

“…6,7 Other research, from cross-sectional studies, has shown that increased body weight is associated with an increased risk of unintentional injury 8,9 and with workplace traumatic injury. 10,11 Past studies that have investigated the relationship between obesity and injury have been limited to mostly western populations, by the use of a specific subgroup of persons, or by the use of a cross-sectional study approach. Furthermore, whether the longitudinal relationship between obesity and injury differs for different types of injury among a nationally representative sample is less well established.…”

“…8,9,11 Owing to their heterogeneity of culture, lifestyle, body size, and physical activity practices, the findings from western societies may not be generalizable to oriental countries. Taiwan is a typical oriental country and it shares many similar ethnic, cultural (physical activity habits and health behaviors), and health care system characteristics with other oriental Asian countries.…”