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ABSTRACT
Employers need a clear understanding of the risk factors associated with low back (LB) injury for future prevention in the workplace. A data mining approach was used to analyse data-sets (Workers' Compensation claims data for employees participating in a health and wellness programme at a Midwestern university) in a retrospective study to summarise the risk factors associated with LB injury. Eight risk factors (age, cause of injury, night shift, fatigue, emotional health, stress level, physical and emotional impairment) are associated with LB injury in the workplace. Age was an effect modifier: lifting, twisting, bending (LTB) and emotional risk factors were associated for employees younger than 40 years old, whereas LTB, slips, trips, falls, and physical risk factors for employees 40 and older. Future considerations discussed not only engineering solutions, but the psychological and lifestyle risk factors associated with LB injury and the need for development of preventative programmes.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the following people for their support and contributions to this research project. Dr James D. McGlothlin, MPH, PhD, CPE, for the opportunity to work on this purposeful research topic as well as his mentorship, attention to detail, insightful questions and his support throughout the challenging times to help keep focused on the goal during his supervision of the entire research process. Mindy Paulet and Dr Joseph Thomas for providing access to the data from the university's wellness programme. Teresa Wesner from Human Resources authorised research funding for two years to work on this project. Kristina Evans and Steve Gauger from the Radiological and Environmental Management provided access to the OSHA 300 logs data-set. Tammy Synesael and Deborah Pope from Human Resources provided access to the workers' compensation data.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Balmatee Bidassie
Balmatee Bidassie received her PhD in industrial engineering from Purdue University in 2010, two Master's degrees from Columbia University (MS in electrical engineering and MA in statistics) and BS degree in electrical engineering from the City College, City University of New York. She is currently the associate director for Clinical Partnerships in Healthcare Transformation (CPHT) at the VA Center for Applied Systems Engineering (VA-CASE), and coordinates multiple national collaborative and transformation programmes at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
James W. Barany
The late James W. Barany was professor emeritus of industrial engineering for the School of Engineering at Purdue University before his passing in November 2011. He received his Master of Science (MS) degree in 1956 and his PhD in 1961 in industrial engineering from Purdue University. Dr Barany's service at Purdue University began in 1969 as a full professor, served as an associate head of the School of Industrial Engineering from 1970 to 2005, and finally as an interim head before formally retiring in 2010.
George P. McCabe
George P. McCabe is a professor in the Department of Statistics and an associate dean for academic affairs for the College of Science at Purdue University. He earned his PhD in mathematical statistics from Columbia University and his BS degree in mathematics from Providence College.
Vincent G. Duffy
Vincent G. Duffy is a faculty member at the College of Engineering at Purdue with a joint appointment in the School of Industrial Engineering and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He is a Fulbright scholar and board certified professional ergonomist.
Steven M. Witz
Steven M. Witz earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology and Master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and completed his PhD in hospital and healthcare administration in 1986. Dr Witz is a clinical professor in health sciences at Purdue University and is currently the director emeritus for the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering.