Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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The Characteristics of Accepted Work-related Injuries and Diseases Claims in the Australian Coal Mining Industry

  • Chong, Heng T. (Insurance Work and Health Group, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University) ;
  • Collie, Alex (Insurance Work and Health Group, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University)
  • Received : 2021.10.13
  • Accepted : 2021.12.25
  • Published : 2022.06.30
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Abstract

Background: Coal mining is a hazardous industry. The purpose of the study is to identify the nature of occupational injuries and diseases among coal miners and to determine the factors that affect the rate of injury and duration of time loss from work. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using accepted workers' compensation claims data of 30,390 Australian coal miners between July 2003 and June 2017. Results: Musculoskeletal and fracture conditions accounted for approximately 60% of claims in all occupational groups. Cox regression analysis showed that older age and female gender were significant predictors of longer time off work. Injury types and occupations were associated with work time loss: mental health conditions, and machine operators and drivers had significantly longer durations of time off work. Conclusion: Future research can further address how these factors led to longer time off work so that coal industry regulators, employers, and healthcare providers can target interventions more effectively to these at-risk workers.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors kindly appreciate Dianne Beck, research assistant of the Insurance Work and Health Group, who provided administrative assistance.

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