Affiliations: Hunter Industrial Medicine, Maitland, NSW,
Australia | Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan,
NSW, Australia | Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX, USA | Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University of
Technology, Perth, WA, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Maya Guest, School of Health
Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308,
Australia. Tel.: +61 2 4921 7735; Fax: +61 2 4921 7479; E-mail:
maya.guest@newcastle.edu.au
Abstract: Objective: This longitudinal study sought to determine the
effectiveness of interventions to improve injury management in an industrial
setting. Participants: Study participants were workers from three
production departments of a large aluminium smelter. Methods: The interventions introduced were to encourage active participation in
rehabilitation procedures by injured workers, improve communication with all
stakeholders, identify and manage psychosocial issues, and focus the workforce
on occupational health and safety matters. Linear regression modelling was used
to determine the effectiveness of the interventions using data collected for
fourteen months before and fifteen months after the introduction of
interventions. Outcomes compared were the number of injuries, number of persons
on restricted duty, and lost hours per month. Results: Modelling showed
the intervention significantly reduced the number of injuries in the potrooms
(from 14 to 6 per month). The number of persons on restricted duties was
reduced in all departments (potrooms: from 12 to 7 persons per month, cast
house: 3 to 1 person per month, carbon plant: 3 to 1 person per month). Lost
hours were significantly reduced in the potrooms (from 244 to 61 hours per month). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the
revised injury management process introduced.
Keywords: Work related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational health, psycho-social factors
