Research Project Summary

Year Funded: 2010 Budget: $26,159.95 Funding Agency: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario
Title: An Examination of Fragility Fractures that Occur in Ontario Workplaces
Category: Transferring Research Knowledge to the Workplace
Subcategory: Transferring Research
Keywords: Fragility fractures, Knowledge translation strategy, Occupational same-level falls, Osteoporosis
Link to research website: www.iwh.on.ca

Issue:

Fragility fractures (FFs) — fractures resulting from a fall from standing height or less (e.g. slip, trip, and fall) — are usually related to underlying bone health issues like low bone density and osteoporosis. FFs are associated with significant disability and substantial health care costs. Due to the aging population, there are a growing number of workers at risk for same-level falls and FFs. To date, no Canadian study has examined FFs that occur at work.

Objectives:

The study will examine administrative workers’ compensation claims data and a sample of claim files of workers who have sustained FFs. Its objective is to examine FFs that occur in the workplace in relation to characteristics of the fall (e.g. workplace environment, mechanism of injury) and characteristics of the worker (e.g. demographic, occupational, and clinical traits) to inform the development of a targeted knowledge translation (KT) strategy to prevent falls and FFs in the workplace. The study will examine administrative workers compensation claims data and a sample of claim files of workers who have sustained FFs.

Anticipated Results:

The study has three intended outcomes:
• To characterize FFs that occur in the workplace (incidence and risk of FFs).
• To identify and provide a detailed characterization of workers at high risk for falls and FFs.
• To establish an advisory committee to provide guidance on the development of a knowledge translation strategy.

Investigators:

Susan B. Jaglal (University of Toronto), Dorcas E. Beaton, Sheilah A. Hogg-Johnson (Institute for Work & Health)