Background: OSHA statistics on occupational illness (a category dominated by musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)) show a consistent upward trend with increasing company size. Oleinick, et al (1995) found no relationship between size and risk factors using census data, and suggested that the OSHA statistics reflect lower reporting among smaller companies. However, Biersner and Winn (1998) did find lower potential exposures to ergonomic hazards in smaller businesses using the NOES. Morse, et. al. (1998) found substantial under-reporting of MSD in a population based study.
Methods: The Connecticut Upper Extremity Surveillance Project (CUSP) was a population-based telephone survey of 3,200 workers that identified likely work-related MSD. Establishment size will be compared to risk factors, prevalence of MSD, and reporting of MSD to workers' compensation to understand the relationship between company size and MSD. This data will also be compared to Connecticut OSHA/BLS data for occupational illness by company size for the same year, to allow interpretation of BLS data.
Learning Objectives: Identify the most and least hazardous workplace by size Analyze the reasons for higher reports in larger workplaces by risk, prevalence, and reporting.
Keywords: Ergonomics,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.