Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many factors contribute to occupational injuries. However, these factors have been compartmentalized and isolated in most studies. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between work-related injuries and multiple occupational and non-occupational factors among construction workers in the USA. METHODS: Data from the 1988-2000 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort (N = 12,686) were analyzed. Job exposures and health behaviors were examined and used as independent variables in four multivariate logistic regression models to identify associations with occupational injuries. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic variables, occupational injuries were 18% (95% CI: 1.04-1.34) more likely in construction than in non-construction. Blue-collar occupations, job physical efforts, multiple jobs, and long working hours accounted for the escalated risk in construction. Smoking, obesity/overweight, and cocaine use significantly increased the risk of work-related injury when demographics and occupational factors were held constant. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace injuries are better explained by simultaneously examining occupational and non-occupational characteristics.