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Occupational Skill Level and Hazardous Exposures among Working Victorians

Author

Listed:
  • Anthony LaMontagne

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Deborah Vallance

    (University of Melbourne)

Abstract

This paper examines the patterning of exposures to occupational hazards in relation to occupational skill level as a proxy for pay rate, testing the general hypothesis that exposures to occupational hazards increase in prevalence with decreasing skill level. A population-based telephone survey was conducted on a random sample of working Victorians (N = 1,101). A set of 10 indicators of exposure to occupational hazards were analysed individually and as a summary scale in multivariate regression models. A significant increasing trend in hazardous working conditions from the highest to lowest occupational skill level was observed, with those in lower skill level jobs twice as likely to be exposed as those at the highest skill level. This overall trend was driven primarily by higher exposure in the middle skill level group (technicians and skilled trades) as well as the lowest (labourers and elementary clerical), the two main blue-collar groups. Findings provided partial support for the hypothesised relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony LaMontagne & Deborah Vallance, 2008. "Occupational Skill Level and Hazardous Exposures among Working Victorians," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 11(1), pages 47-70.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:11:y:2008:i:1:p:47-70
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Paul Fenn & Simon Ashby, 2004. "Workplace Risk, Establishment Size and Union Density," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 42(3), pages 461-480, September.
    4. Hemström, Örjan, 2005. "Health inequalities by wage income in Sweden: The role of work environment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 637-647, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor Standards; Working Conditions; Health; Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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