Comparing the risk factors associated with serious versus and less serious work-related injuries in Ontario between 1991 and 2006

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine and compare the demographic and labor market risks for more serious and less serious work-related injuries and illnesses. METHODS: Secondary analysis of accepted workers' compensation claims in Ontario, combined with labor force estimates for the period 1991 to 2006. Serious injuries and illnesses were claims resulting in wage replacement. Less serious injuries and illnesses were claims only requiring health care. Regression models examined the relationship between demographic and labor market characteristics (age, gender, industry, job tenure, and unemployment) and claim type. RESULTS: Relative risk estimates for serious and less serious claims were not concordant across age, gender and industry employment groups. For example, while the mining and utilities and the construction industry had an increased probability of reporting NLTCs, they had a decreased probability of reporting LTCs. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for serious and less serious work-related injury and illness claims differ by demographic and labor market groups. The use of composite measures that combine wage-replacement and health care only claims should be considered when using compensation data for surveillance and primary prevention targeting strategies. Am. J. Ind. Med. (c) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc