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Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016–2020)

Author

Listed:
  • Ralf Dethlefsen

    (Department of Orthopedics, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Luisa Orlik

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Martin Müller

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland)

  • Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland)

  • Stefan M. Scholz

    (Department of Statistics, Suva (Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund), 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
    Central Office for Statistics in Accident Insurance (SSUV), 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland)

  • Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mairi Ziaka

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Occupational injuries are one of the main causes of Emergency Department visits and represent a substantial source of disability or even death. However, the published studies and reports on construction–occupational accidents in Switzerland are limited. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers older than 16 years of age over a 5-year period. Data were gathered from the emergency department (ED) of Bern University Hospital. A retrospective design was chosen to allow analysis of changes in construction accidents between 2016–2020. A total of 397 patients were enrolled. Compared to studies in other countries, we also showed that the upper extremity and falling from height is the most common injured body part and mechanism of injury. Furthermore, we were able to show that the most common age group representing was 26–35 years and the second common body part injured was the head, which is a difference from studies in other countries. Wound lacerations were the most common type of injury, followed by joint distortions. By stratifying according to the season, occupational injuries among construction workers were found to be significant higher during summer and autumn. As work-related injuries among construction workers are becoming more common, prevention strategies and safety instructions must be optimized.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralf Dethlefsen & Luisa Orlik & Martin Müller & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos & Stefan M. Scholz & Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler & Mairi Ziaka, 2022. "Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11294-:d:909865
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    References listed on IDEAS

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