Work-related injury hospitalisations in young vs older workers in NSW: a comparison population-based cohort study

Objective: To compare the incidence, characteristics and health outcomes of work-related injury hospitalisations in New South Wales (NSW) in young (15-24 years) versus older workers (workers aged 25-64 years and those aged ≥65 years). Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis of work-related injury hospitalisations by age group in NSW during 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2014 was conducted using linked hospitalisation and mortality data. Incidence rates per million hours worked and per 10,000 workers were calculated. Demographics, injury characteristics and health outcomes by age were examined. Results: There were 48,052 work-related hospitalised injuries and 17.1% were of workers aged 15-24 years, 77.7% were aged 25-64 years, and 5.1% were aged ≥65 years. For males, hospitalisation rates were highest for the youngest (15-19 years) and oldest (≥65 years) workers. For females, hospitalisation rates were lower for younger workers (i.e. 15-19 years to 45-54 years) and were progressively higher for older workers. Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces constituted more than half (53.7%) of the hospitalisations of younger workers, whilst falls (30.6%) was the most common mechanism of injury amongst workers aged ≥65 years. Young workers had a higher proportion of hospitalisations due to heavy machinery, powered and non-powered tools and contact with glass and sharp objects than older workers. Conclusions: Young workers in NSW had different patterns of work-related injury hospitalisations compared to older workers, with young males identified as a high-risk group for injury in the workplace. Work safety strategies should focus on young workers when using heavy machinery, powered and non-powered tools and sharp implements.