Abstract
Background
Work‐related amputations are of concern in Michigan and nationally. This study reports on 1 year of data on work‐related amputations, which were treated in Michigan hospital emergency departments (ED) or as in‐patients in Michigan.
Methods
Michigan hospitals provided face sheets and discharge summaries of in‐patient and ED visits for work‐related amputations that occurred in 1997. Information was also obtained about worksite inspections associated with reported amputations from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) program. Data from this study and from Michigan workers compensation were used to generate an estimate of the true numbers of work‐related amputations in Michigan in 1997.
Results
Three hundred thirty‐nine work‐related amputations were identified by hospitals. Powered saws and power presses were the leading sources of injury. MIOSHA completed 30 enforcement inspections related to these amputations. Our best estimate of the total numbers of work‐related amputations in 1997 for Michigan was 693, of which 562 resulted in hospitalization or ED treatment.
Conclusions
In‐patient and ED records provided information for identifying high risk groups and problem worksites in Michigan. Estimates generated from these data underscore that data on work‐related amputations released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which reported 440 amputations in 1997, are a significant undercount—only 64%—of the true number of cases. Better integration of public health data into OSHA enforcement activity is needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:359–367, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.