Fractures from same-level falls among workers in the transportation sector: a retrospective analysis of the national open database of occupational injuries in Japan.

Abstract

We investigated the occurrence of fractures caused by same-level falls resulting from occupational accidents in the transportation sector, utilizing data on occupational deaths and injuries (2012-2016) collected by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We analyzed injury cases requiring four or more days of work absence, focusing on same-level falls. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess differences in fracture occurrence across occupations. Fractures occurred in 27.8% of workers in the hired taxi business, 23.0% in general cargo transportation, 21.9% in other road freight forwarding businesses, 18.3% in the railroad and orbital sector, 16.5% in the bus line industry, and 7.5% in the airline industry. After adjusting for covariates, hired taxi businesses showed a 1.76-fold higher fracture occurrence (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.95) compared to the railroad and orbital sector, and 1.4-fold higher occurrence (CI: 1.08-1.85) compared to general cargo transportation. Over 60% of falls in taxi and bus lines involved temporary structures. Taxi drivers experience a high occurrence of fractures, following same-level falls, indicating a significant occupational hazard. This study emphasizes targeted interventions, including measures to prevent falls and lifestyle modifications to mitigate fracture susceptibility, to improve worker safety.