[Social Factors of Recovery Time in Workers After a Workplace Accident: A Systematic Review].

UNLABELLED: Recovery times are a relevant problem in occupational health.

AIM: To identify the social health factors impacting workers' longer recovery times affected by occupational accidents.

METHODS

A qualitative systematic review of the academic literature in English was carried out. A total of 4,409 articles were identified, applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 articles were selected.

RESULTS

The aging of the working population is a relevant issue for occupational health; after 45 years of age, workers require significantly longer recovery after an occupational accident. Men have the longest recovery days in the most severe accidents and are associated with the most severe accidents (e.g., traumatic amputations and falls from height). The circumstantial variables indicate that those accidents with longer recovery times happen towards the end of the week, at the end of the workday, and night, all of which would indicate that the fatigue and tiredness factor would be present in the accidents with the most severe consequences. Likewise, although the most significant number of accidents occur in large companies, to local workers, and at the workplace, the accidents with the most meaningful lost time ensue in small companies, to immigrant workers, and when commuting. In addition, the accidents with the highest lost time are related to fractures, internal injuries, and multiple injuries, with the prominent involvement of the limbs.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing the social factors and circumstances related to occupational accidents involving longer recovery times provides additional elements for health decision-making and formulating public policies and occupational safety programs.