Injury mortality in a cohort of mining, smelting, and refining workers in Ontario

ABSTRACT

Injury mortality was followed up from 1950 to 2000 in a cohort of 56,576 nickel workers. Injury fatalities were elevated throughout the cohort of never sinter plant workers (SMR = 134, 95% CI [129, 140]). Elevations were also observed in injury mortality subcategories of road, rail, and air (SMR = 137, 95% CI [127, 147]); boating and swimming (SMR = 150, 95% CI [128, 176]); suicide and possible suicide (SMR = 124, 95% CI [114, 135]); and possibly job-related accidents (SMR = 160, 95% CI [145, 175]). The results were largely attributed to underground miners, with 61.4% of all injury mortality (SMR = 162; 95% CI [153, 171]). Occupational etiology could not be ascertained; however, compiled workplace injury fatalities are presented separately. Recommendations include delivery of injury prevention and wellness programs in partnership with the local health unit and other stakeholders.

KEYWORDS:

• Accidents
• cohort
• mortality
• nickel
• occupational epidemiology

Acknowledgments

Robert Semenciw of the Public Health Agency of Canada is thanked for supplying and running some statistical programs. Statistics Canada is thanked for supplying health data and the record linkage for the study.

Funding

Funding for the study was provided by Vale Canada Ltd.