Identification and characterization of Kentucky self-employed occupational injury fatalities using multiple sources, 1995-2004

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Identification and characterization of occupational injury fatalities in self-employed workers typically relies on a single data source and thus may miss some cases. Methods: Kentucky self-employed worker injury fatalities were identified using Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program data (1995-2004) and compared to non self-employed worker data. Occupations and industries listed on death certificates were compared to those in which the decedent was actually engaged. Results Of 1,281 Kentucky worker injury deaths, 28% were self-employed. Death certificates failed to identify 31% of these deaths as work-related; industry and occupation were incorrectly identified in 27% and 16%, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of the deaths were in agriculture, primarily tractor-related. For Kentucky, the self-employed crude death rate was higher (27.6/100,000) than the non self-employed worker (5.4/100,000) rate or the US (11.5/100,000) self-employed rate. Conclusions: Multiple information sources improve identification of self-employed status in work-related injury fatalities. Effective prevention requires accurate surveillance and examination of contributing factors. Self-employed worker injuries in high-risk industries should be more fully examined for development of effective injury prevention programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1005-1012
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume49
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006

Keywords

  • Agricultural industry
  • Fatality rates
  • Older workers
  • Self-employed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Identification and characterization of Kentucky self-employed occupational injury fatalities using multiple sources, 1995-2004'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this