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Work-related physical assault
W J LaMar1, S G Gerberich, W H Lohman
1Occupational Health Group, HealthWorks, Bloomington, Minn, USA.
Abstract:
Violence in the workplace is a serious public health problem. Yet, to date, little has been documented relevant to non-fatal events associated with physical assault. The aim of the present study was to identify the magnitude of work-related physical assault in Minnesota and to identify potential risk factors; both fatal and non-fatal cases were included. Minnesota workers' compensation records, relevant to assault, were used to identify 712 cases involving more than three days of lost work time for 1992; six homicide cases were included. Assault rates were calculated by industry and occupation. Women had an assault rate twice that of men (51 versus 26 per 100,000 workers). Workers in industries of social services (340), health services (202), and transportation (914) had the highest rates of assault per 100,000 full-time employees. The fact that in addition to overall workers' compensation costs of $1.6 million, the average lost time for closed compensated cases was 54 days (median, 14 days) and time to reach maximum medical improvement for 44% of the cases reporting was 156 days (median, 83 days), indicates a major problem. The findings suggest that specific groups of workers are at risk for physical assault on the job. Further research is essential to identify specific risk factors that will enable the development of appropriate prevention strategies.
Insights
Workplace physical assaults are a significant public health issue, with women and workers in social services, health services, and transportation facing higher risks. Further research is needed to develop effective prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Occupational Safety
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Workplace violence, particularly non-fatal physical assaults, is a serious public health concern.
- Limited documentation exists regarding the scope and risk factors of non-fatal workplace assaults.
- Understanding these incidents is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of work-related physical assaults in Minnesota, including both fatal and non-fatal cases.
- To identify specific industries and occupations at higher risk for workplace assault.
- To analyze the impact of these assaults on workers' compensation costs and recovery times.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Minnesota workers' compensation records from 1992, focusing on assault-related cases with over three days of lost work time.
- Inclusion of six homicide cases in the analysis.
- Calculation of assault rates stratified by industry and occupation.
Main Results:
- Women experienced assault rates twice as high as men (51 vs. 26 per 100,000 workers).
- Highest assault rates were observed in the transportation (914), social services (340), and health services (202) industries per 100,000 full-time employees.
- Workplace assaults resulted in $1.6 million in workers' compensation costs, with an average lost time of 54 days.
Conclusions:
- Specific worker groups are demonstrably at increased risk for on-the-job physical assault.
- The study highlights the significant economic and personal impact of workplace violence.
- Further research into specific risk factors is essential for effective prevention strategy development.