The nature and burden of occupational injury among first responder occupations: A retrospective cohort study in Australian workers

Gray, Shannon; Collie, Alex

doi:10.1016/j.injury.2017.09.019

Cited by 77 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…During the 41 months investigated, 481 injuries were reported in this group of police officers, indicating an injury incidence rate of 106/1000 person-years. This is greater compared to the findings by Gray and Collie [2] who stated that police officers in Australia had an incidence of MSIs of 46 cases/1000 workers, and to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that in 2014, among police officers, the rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and ill- to their smaller representation in the sample. The literature indicates that police officers of a lower rank [18] or age [13,20,22] are at increased risk for injury, and that police officers <40 years old are injured most often [2,13,20].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

“…Variations in the use of gloves and the availability of alternative force options (oleoresin capsicum spray, baton, or conducted energy device) may be protective and could account for the differences between studies. In studies that compare sex, female officers were more likely to file workers' compensation claims [2] or receive compensation [18] but, in general, there was little difference in the injury rates between males and females [16,20], as was reflected in the current study. The increase in workers' compensation claims and the receipt of compensation may be indicative of increased injury severity in female police officers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 45%

“…Demographic and injury data were available for 1325 individuals. The sam-indicates that this occupational group has a 3 times greater risk of being injured at work than all other occupations [2]. Additionally, it has been reported that firefighters have an injury rate 7 times that of the U.S. national average [3], and police officers have a 10% greater occurrence of injuries compared to firefighters [1].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Much research has been done in regard to police officer occupational health and safety in terms of the impact of shift work [4,5], fatigue [6], catastrophic or fatal injury [7], violence [8] and the use of force technologies (e.g., baton, oleoresin capsaicin spray, conductive energy device) [9][10][11][12]. Even though the risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) for police officers is high (RR: 11.65, 95% CI: 11.07-12.25) [2], research regarding MSI is lacking [8,13]. Because MSIs such as sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures have been somewhat overlooked in the literature, the frequency of police officer injury may be underestimated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A description of musculoskeletal injuries in a Canadian police service

Lentz¹,

Voaklander²,

Gross³

et al. 2020

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

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Police officers run a risk of injury that is higher than in most other occupations. This study aims to quantify injury prevalence and identify common musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) among police officers, using injury data from a municipal police service in Alberta, Canada. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study based on a secondary data analysis of the MSIs reported to the police service over a 41-month period; January 1, 2013-June 2, 2016. Data from 1325 active police officers were examined, and injury prevalence was reported according to sex, injury diagnosis, the body part injured, and the work area. Results: The prevalence of strains and sprains was very high, at 89.2%. The back and shoulder were most frequently affected. Overall, injury proportions did not differ significantly across work areas. The injury risk was age-related but no significant differences in injuries between sexes were identified. Conclusions: Minor injuries such as strains and sprains occur frequently in the police occupation. Future research should focus on specific risk factors for MSIs in police officers in order to aid prevention.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 45%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A description of musculoskeletal injuries in a Canadian police service

Lentz¹,

Voaklander²,

Gross³

et al. 2020

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Research indicates that firefighters have an occupational injury rate 3‐7 times greater than the national average. In Australia, Poland, and the United States and one study indicates that police have a 10% greater occurrence of all injuries compared to firefighters . Further, because of physical demands an emergency responder with a seemingly minor injury may not be able to perform regular duties and be required to take days off work or be put on modified duties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between physical fitness and occupational injury in emergency responders: A systematic review

Lentz

Randall

Gross

et al. 2018

American J Industrial Med

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Background Emergency responders have jobs with physical demands that put them at risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Objectives This paper systematically reviews existing literature examining the relationship between fitness and occupational injury in this group. Methods Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted using key words relating to musculoskeletal injury, fitness, and emergency responders. Results Eleven articles included in the review provided limited evidence for the relationship between physical fitness test scores and injury risk. There appears to be a correlation between better aerobic fitness and decreased risk of injury. Conclusions Evidence of the relationship between aspects of physical fitness and occupational injury in emergency responders is extremely limited. More research is required to expand the knowledge in this area and to draw more definitive conclusions.

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Geographic variation in work disability burden: Identifying hotspots, coldspots, and associated sociodemographic factors

Lane

Collie

2021

American J Industrial Med

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Objectives To identify geographic hotspots and coldspots of work disability burden and their associated sociodemographic factors in Australia. Methods Using Australian workers' compensation and census data, we calculated weeks of compensated time off work per 1000 labor force, an indicator of work disability burden, at Statistical Area Level 4, the smallest level of labor force data produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Records included all claims with at least 1 day of compensated time off work lodged between 2010 and 2015. Work disability burden was z‐transformed by state and territory and mapped across Australia. Statistical Areas that were more than 1 standard deviation from the state or territory mean were considered hotspots and coldspots. We tested several sociodemographic factors as predictors of work disability burden. Results Work disability burden hotspots were concentrated in lower socioeconomic suburbs and exurbs of state capitals, in addition to several regional areas. Coldspots were primarily in wealthy central urban and suburban areas. Factors associated with greater work disability burden include higher area socioeconomic disadvantage, rurality, lower labor force participation, higher unemployment, higher proportion of work in production industries and in blue‐collar occupations, and higher numbers of those with core activity limitations, those aged 65+ years, and foreign‐born residents. Conclusions Work disability burden is unequally distributed across Australia and strongly influenced by sociodemographic and occupational factors. The findings can guide more efficient allocation of resources for work disability prevention and rehabilitation.

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The nature and burden of occupational injury among first responder occupations: A retrospective cohort study in Australian workers

Cited by 77 publications

References 19 publications

A description of musculoskeletal injuries in a Canadian police service

A description of musculoskeletal injuries in a Canadian police service

The relationship between physical fitness and occupational injury in emergency responders: A systematic review

Geographic variation in work disability burden: Identifying hotspots, coldspots, and associated sociodemographic factors

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