The cost of occupational injuries
CMAJ 1997;156:1360
© 1997 Canadian Medical Association
In 1995, reports the Human Resources Development Canada publication Occupational injuries and their cost in Canada 19911995, 1 Canadian worker in 15 was injured on the job. This translates into 1 occupational injury for every 8.7 seconds worked. One injured worker in 29 missed at least 1 day of work.
The proportion of annual injuries that prevented an employee from reporting for work or from effectively performing all work-related duties increased from 38% in 1970 to almost 60% in 1987. By 1995 the rate had declined to 51%.
Although the number of occupational injuries reported by workers' compensation boards fluctuated between 1990 and 1995, an average of 1 million injuries was reported each year. From 1970 to 1995, the average compensation per injury (adjusted for inflation) increased from $1250 to $4510. In current dollars, the 1995 national average was $6020, with the highest average compensations found in Ontario ($7870), Quebec ($6520) and Newfoundland ($6070).
The national death rate from occupational injuries in 1995 was 6 fatalities per 100 000 workers. Prince Edward Island (18), Newfoundland (9) and British Columbia (8.6) recorded the highest rates, while Ontario (4.8) recorded the lowest.
This column was written by Lynda Buske, chief, physician resources information planning, CMA. Readers may send potential research topics to Patrick Sullivan (sullip@cma.ca; 613 731-8610 or 800 663-7336, ext. 2126; fax 613 523-0937).
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