Work-related injuries involving a hand or fingers among union carpenters in Washington State, 1989 to 2008.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated work-related injuries involving a hand or fingers and associated costs among a cohort of 24,830 carpenters between 1989 and 2008.

METHODS

Injury rates and rate ratios were calculated by using Poisson regression to explore higher risk on the basis of age, sex, time in the union, predominant work, and calendar time. Negative binomial regression was used to model dollars paid per claim after adjustment for inflation and discounting.

RESULTS

Hand injuries accounted for 21.1% of reported injuries and 9.5% of paid lost time injuries. Older carpenters had proportionately more amputations, fractures, and multiple injuries, but their rates of these more severe injuries were not higher. Costs exceeded $21 million, a cost burden of $0.11 per hour worked.

CONCLUSIONS

Older carpenters' higher proportion of serious injuries in the absence of higher rates likely reflects age-related reporting differences.