Work-related injuries in Athens County 1982 to 1986. A comparison of emergency department and workers' compensation data

Abstract

In 1987, the Panel on Occupational Safety and Health Statistics issued a report concluding that the existing national surveillance system for occupation injuries might result in substantial underreporting of occupational injuries. In this study, we examined two sources of data on occupational injuries, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and lost-work time claims to the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), available in one community, Athens County, Ohio. Based on comparison of the NEISS and BWC data sets, we conclude that neither data set alone gives a complete nor an accurate picture of occupational injuries in Athens County. The two may provide a more complete representation of occupational injuries when examined together. Using the NEISS and BWC data sets in combination results in a total number of injuries higher than that predicted by national norms.