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Evaluating the Impact of an Intervention to Reduce Injuries among Loggers in West Virginia, 1999-2007

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 15(1): 75-88. (doi: 10.13031/2013.25416) @2009
Authors:   P. Mujuru, J. C. Helmkamp, M. Mutambudzi, W. Hu, J. L. Bell
Keywords:   Logging injuries, Occupational injuries, Safety training programs, Workers' compensation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a video-based safety training intervention (VBSTI) to reduce injuries among loggers over an 8-year period. WV Workers' Compensation data were used to assess the trend in injury rates, medical and indemnity costs due to logging injuries. There were 1,435 logger injury claims reported and a modest decline in the minor nature of injuries. There was no significant decline in total injury rates or in "struck by object" incidents emphasized in the VBSTI. Among the severe injuries, "head and neck" injuries showed a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.0454), but "falls" showed a statistically significant inverse change (p < 0.05). Medical and indemnity costs showed a statistical significant decrement (p < 0.05). Due to potential confounding, it is inconclusive whether the modest decreases in the claims can be attributed to the VBSTI. There still remains a need to improve the safety of workers in this high-risk employment.

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