OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN
KENTUCKY, 2013
An Annual Report by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center
Authored by Terry Bunn, Svetla Slavova, Wei Gao
December 2013
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Key findings:

Kentucky’s 2011 nonfatal work-related
injury and illness rate was still 20% above
the national rate.

The Kentucky occupational motor vehicle
injury rate decreased 10% from 2011 to
2012.

The 2011 work-related fatality rate was
5.3 deaths/100,000 workers, 35% above
the US rate of 3.6/100,000.

The occupation at highest risk for workrelated injuries and illnesses in Kentucky
was the drivers/sales workers and truck
drivers’ occupation in 2010.

Kentucky’s amputation work-related rate
was 12 claims/100,000 workers in 2011,
double the U.S. rate.

The occupational fall injury incidence rate
decreased 8% from 2011 to 2012.

The average amount of workers’
compensation benefits per covered
worker in Kentucky decreased to $391 in
2010 compared to $442 in 2009.

There were 68 school bus collisions in
2012.

The number of buses involved in motor
vehicle collisions increased from 135 in
2011 to 142 in the year 2012.

The 2010 age-adjusted pneumoconiosis
mortality rate was 23 deaths/million
residents, 188% above the U.S. rate.

The acute work-related pesticideassociated injury and illness rate of
3.7/100,000 FTEs was 76% above the U.S.
rate in 2010.

th
Kentucky had the 5 highest percentage
of workers in the U.S. who were employed
in occupational fatality risk industries in
2010.
2
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #1: Non-Fatal Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Reported By Employers
In 2011, there were 49,200 non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses in Kentucky, with an incidence rate
of 4,200/100,000 employees, down 50% from 1998 (Figure 1). Kentucky is still 20% above the national
incidence rate of 3,500 /100,000 FTEs.
Figure 1. Non-Fatal Work-Related Injury and Illness Incidence Rates, 1998-2011
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
10,000
9,000 8,400 8,400
8,000
8,300
7,400
7,000
6,000 6,700 6,300
5,000
6,100
5,700
4,000
3,000
7,200
6,400 6,100
6,200
5,200
5,200
4,700
5,300 5,000
4,200
4,800 4,600
4,400 4,200
3,900
3,600
4,200
3,500
4,200
3,500
2,000
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
US
KY
Data Source: Annual Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII)
Indicator #2: Work-Related Hospitalizations
In 2012, there were 1,664 work-related hospitalizations with an annual crude rate of 88/100,000 employed
persons age 16 years and older, down 53% from the year 2000 (Figure 2).
Rate per 100,000
Employed Persons
Figure 2. Work-Related Hospitalization Rates, 2000-2012
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
187
212
208
185 194
208
184
149
142
2000
129
2001
142
2002
134
2003
123
2004
120
2005
US
107
113
2006
2007
101 94
99
77 97
2008
2009
94
88
2011
2012
82.2
2010
KY
Data Source: Numerator KY data: KY Dept. for Public Health, Office of Health Policy. Numerator US data: National Hospital
Discharge Survey. Denominator data: BLS Current Population Survey data. Rates may differ from rates reported in previous
reports as the KY hospital discharge files for the last 4 years were updated. The 2012 hospitalization data may not be complete
by expected payer source.
3
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #3: Fatal Work-Related Injuries
In 2011 there were 93 fatal occupational injuries in Kentucky, a 35% increase from the reported 69 fatal
work-related injuries for 2010. The Kentucky rate was 5.3/100,000, or 35% above the national rate.
Figure 3. Fatal Work-Related Injury Rates, 2000-2011
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
10
8
7.9
7
6
7.6
6.5
6.5
7.6
5.8
6
4
5.9
5.3
5.9
4.1
4.4
4.4
4.1
2
4
4.1
4
4
3.9
3.8
2005
2006
2007
2008
US
KY
3.5
3.6
3.6
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2009
2010
2011
Data Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)
Indicator #4: Work-Related Amputations with Days Away from Work
There were 140 amputation cases with days away from work in 2011, up 50 cases from the year 2010. The
annual incidence rate of 12 cases per 100,000 FTEs was 100% higher than the national amputation
incidence rate of 6/100,000 (BLS SOII) in 2011 (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Work-Related Amputation Rates, 2000-2011
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
20
15
11
10
12
10
11
5
10
13
11
9
13
12
12
11
9
9
9
7
7
8
8
7
7
7
6
2008
2009
2010
6
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
US
KY
Data Source: Annual BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII)
4
2007
2011
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #5: Amputations Filed with the State Workers’ Compensation System by Injury Year
The number of amputations filed with the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Compensation in the year
2010 was 104, not a big change from 108 filed in 2009. The annual incidence rate for amputations was 6.2
cases per 100,000 employees (Figure 5). Most of the amputations occurred in the manufacturing industry
(n=55).
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
Figure 5. Amputation Work-related Rates, 2000-2010
20
15
11.7
11.6
11.1
10.8
10.8
10.1
9.5
10
10.3
7.7
6.5
6.2
2009
2010
5
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims
Indicator #6: Work-Related Burn Hospitalizations
There were 17 work-related burn hospitalizations in 2012 with an annual crude rate for work-related burn
hospitalizations of 0.9/100,000 employed persons age 16 years or older. Kentucky work-related burn
hospitalization rates have been stable in recent years (Figure 6).
Rate per 100,000 Employed
Persons
Figure 6. Burn Hospitalizations, 2000-2012
7.0
5.9
6.0
5.0
4.0
4.0
3.2
2.0
2.6
3.8
4.2
3.1
3.0
2.7
4.6
4.0
2.9
3.3
2.4
2.5
2.5
2.6
1.0
1.9
1.9
0.0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
US
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department for Public Health, Office of Health Policy
5
2007
2008
1.3
0.9
0.8
0.8
2009
2010
0.8
0.9
2011
2012
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #7: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) with Days Away from Work
Kentucky had a total annual MSD incidence rate of 445 cases/100,000 FTEs in 2011 (Figure 7), due primarily
to the MSD of the neck, shoulder, and upper extremities (203/100,000).
Figure 7. Musculoskeletal Disorders Incidence Rates Involving Days Away from Work, 2003-2011
800
698
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
700
MSDs of the back
665
622
600
542
482
500
409
400
349
257
214
200
100
245 190
183
33
177
29
9
0
2003
2004
Carpal tunel
syndrome
445
352
308
300
446
417
2005
158
143
14
2006
106
213
203
193
141
106
6
7
9
2008
2009
2010
12
2007
213
MSDs of the neck,
shoulder, and upper
extremities
All MSDs
6
2011
Data Source: Annual Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII)
Indicator #8: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cases Filed with the State Workers’ Compensation System by
Injury Year
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) case claim rates have declined 58% since the year 2000 (Figure 8). CTS
injuries occurred primarily in the manufacturing (n=85), and services (n= 53) industries.
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
Figure 8. Lost Work-Time Claim Rates for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cases Identified in State Workers’
Compensation Systems, 2000-2010
50
40
33
32
30
30
31
30
21
20
18
17
14
15
14
2008
2009
2010
10
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims
6
2006
2007
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #9: Hospitalization from or with Pneumoconiosis
The annual age-standardized rate of pneumoconiosis hospitalizations per million residents in Kentucky
decreased 3% from 2010 to 2011, but is 93% above the 2010 U.S. rate (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Age-Standardized Hospitalization Rates from or with Total Pneumoconiosis, 2004-2011
Rate per 1,000,000 residents
700
593
600
555
558
572
570
572
553
496
500
400
300
200
125
109
86
78
79
67.5
2006
2007
2008
2009
100
41.7
0
2004
2005
US
2010
2011
KY
Note: U.S. rates are not yet available for year 2011.
Data Source: Kentucky Department for Public Health, Office of Health Policy
Indicator #10: Mortality from or with Pneumoconiosis
The age-adjusted total death rate for pneumoconiosis was 23 per million residents in 2010, 65% above the
U.S. rate (Figure 10).
Rate per 1,000,000
residents
Figure 10. Age-Standardized Mortality Rate from or with Pneumoconiosis, 2002-2010
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
23
12
2002
21
22
12
11
10
2003
2004
2005
21
21
US
18
19
10
9
9
8
8
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department for Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics
7
23
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Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #11: Acute Work-Related Pesticide-Associated Illness and Injury Reported to Poison Control
Centers
The annual incidence rate of reported work-related pesticide poisonings in Kentucky remains well above
the national rate in recent years. The 2010 rate was 3.7/100,000 FTEs, 43% above the U.S. rate (Figure 11).
Figure 11. Work-Related Pesticide-Associated Poisonings Rates, 2000-2010
3.7
4
Rate per 100,000 FTEs
3.5
3
3
2.6
2.8
2.5
2
2.1
2.4
2.5
1.8
1.8
1.8
2.4
2.2
2.1
1.8
1.9
1.5
1.6
1
2.4
1.8
2.1
1.7
1.5
1.5
0.5
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Series1
KY
2007
2008
2009
2010
Data Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers
Indicator #12: Incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma
The age-adjusted rate of malignant mesothelioma was 9.4 cases per million residents (35 cases) in 2010,
25% below the U.S. rate (Figure 12).
Figure 12. Age-Standardized Incidence Rate of Malignant Mesothelioma, 2000-2010
Rate per million residents
20
15
12.7
13.9
10.5
12
10
9.8
5
13.7
14
13.8
12.8
12.6
14
13
12.5
9.8
9.4
2009
2010
12.9
10.3
10
8.7
8.3
8.5
7.9
2004
US
2005
KY
2006
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
Data Source: Kentucky Cancer Registry
8
2007
2008
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #13: Elevated Blood Lead Levels (BLL) among Adults
Lead exposure is considered elevated in an adult when it reaches 25 µg/dL. The Kentucky prevalence rate
of persons with blood lead levels > 25μg/dL in 2010 is 8/100,000.
Figure 13. Annual Incidence Rates of Elevated BLL ≥25 mg/dL Among Persons Age 16 Years and Older
12
Rate per 100,000 Employed
Persons
10
8
7.4
7
8
5
6
4
5.1
6.1
6
4.5
4
4.7
2
4.4
4.2
3.8
4
3.4
2.7
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
US
2007
2008
2009
2010
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Division of Adult and Child Health. US rates were obtained from the
NIOSH ABLES program.
Indicator #14: Workers Employed in Industries with High Risk for Occupational Morbidity
The percentage of Kentucky workers employed in high-risk morbidity industries in year 2010 was 10%, a
slight increase from 9.7% in 2009 when KY had the 5th highest percentage in the U.S. (Figure 14). The
percentage of workers employed in industries with high risk for occupational morbidity nationwide in 2010
was 7.2%
Figure 14. Percentage of Workers in High Risk Industries for Occupational Morbidity, 2009
11.3
12.0
10.0
8.3
% workers
8.0
6.0
8.2
7.2
6.7
5.6
10.5
10.1
9.7
7.3 7.2
6.7
8.7
10.5
9.5
8.6
7.0 6.8
5.8 5.9
7.5
7.0
7.7
6.2
5.2
6.6
7.1
6.0
4.8
4.0
2.0
0.0
CA CO CT FL GA IA IL KY LA MA MD MI MN MO MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NY OR SD TX WA WI WY US
9
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Data Source: Census Bureau County Business Patterns
Indicator #15: Percentage of Workers Employed in Occupations at High Risk for Occupational Morbidity
The largest groups of occupations at highest risk for occupational injuries and illnesses in 2010 in Kentucky
are presented in Figure 15 as the percentage of employed population. In 2010, the overall percentage in
Kentucky was 18.5%, slightly greater than the percentage in 2009 (17.8%). The percentage of U.S. workers
employed in occupations at high risk for occupational morbidity in 2010 was 15.4%.
Figure 15. Percentage of Kentucky Workers in Occupations with High Risk for Occupational Morbidity,
2010
Maids and housekeeping cleaners
4.4%
Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics
4.7%
Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides
6.7%
Construction laborers
7.5%
Production workers, all other
7.5%
Janitors and building cleaners
10.8%
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers
13.0%
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
15.1%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey (CPS)
Indicator #16: Percentage of Workers Employed in Industries and Occupations at High Risk for
Occupational Mortality
The percentage of Kentucky workers employed in industries at high risk for occupational mortality was 17%
in 2010, 1.6% above the U.S. percentage. The percentage of Kentucky workers employed in occupations at
high risk for occupational mortality was 13.8% in 2010, above the U.S. percentage of 12.3%.
Figure 16. Percentage of Workers Employed in High Mortality Risk Industries/Occupations, 2009-2010
20.0%
17.9%
15.7%
17.0%
15.4%
14.4%
15.0%
12.4%
13.8%
12.3%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
KY 2009
US 2009
KY 2010
US 2010
high mortality risk industries
KY 2009
US 2009
KY 2010
US 2010
high mortality risk occupations
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey (CPS)
10
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #17: Occupational Safety and Health Professionals
In 2010, the rate of occupational safety and health professionals in Kentucky was 52.9 professionals per
100,000 workers (Table 1), down from 57.4 in 2009.
Table 1. Rates of Occupational Safety and Health Professionals in Kentucky, 2010
KY
US
KY
US
2010 2010 2009 2009
1.5
2.1
1.2
2.2
Rate per 100,000 employees
Rate of board-certified occupational physicians
Rate of American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
members
Rate of board-certified occupational health registered nurses
Rate of members of the American Association of Occupational Health
Nurses
Rate of board-certified industrial hygienists
Rate of American Industrial Hygiene Association
Rate of board certified safety health professionals
Rate of American Society of Safety Engineers membership
3.3
4.0
2.9
3.9
3.8
4.6
3.0
4.1
NA
3.6
4.4
8.6
27.5
NA
5.2
5.6
8.8
22.5
4.2
3.5
4.9
8.1
27.1
4.6
5.1
5.9
8.6
21.5
Data Sources: American Board of Preventive Medicine, ACOEM, American Board of Occupational Health Nurses Directory,
AAOHN, American Board of Industrial Hygiene, AIHA, BCSP, ASSE, BLS Current Population Survey
Indicator #18: OSHA Enforcement Activities
In 2010, there were 1,139 establishments inspected by KY OSHA, a decrease from 1,314 in 2009. The
percentage of establishments under OSHA jurisdiction inspected by KY OSHA in 2010 was 1.0% (Figure 17).
The percentage of OSHA-covered employees whose work areas were inspected by OSHA in 2010 was 3.6%,
a 36% decrease compared with year 2009.
Figure 17. OSHA Enforcement Activities, 2009-2010
5.6%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%
1.2%
1.2%
1.0%
1.1%
KY 2009
US 2009
KY 2010
US 2010
KY 2009
3.9%
3.6%
3.6%
US 2009
KY 2010
US 2010
percentage of all establishments under OSHA percentage of employees in establishments
jurisdiction inspected by OSHA
under OSHA jurisdiction whose work areas
were inspected
Data Sources: OSHA annual reports, BLS statistics on Covered Employers and Wages
11
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #19: Workers’ Compensation Awards
The total amount of workers’ compensation benefits paid in Kentucky in 2010 was $650,701,000. The
average amount of workers’ compensation benefits paid per covered worker in KY decreased 12% to $391
from 2009 to 2010 (Figure 18).
Figure 18. Average Amount of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Paid Per Worker in Kentucky, 2000-2010
Average amount in dollars
$600
$500
$396
$400
$423
$429
$452
$411
$442
$377
$368
2006
2007
$334
$398
$391
$300
$200
$100
$0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2008
2009
2010
Data Source: National Academy of Social Insurance
Indicator #20: Low Back Disorders
In 2012, the number of work-related surgical low back disorder hospitalizations for persons 16 years or
older in Kentucky was 163 with an annual rate of 8.6/100,000 employees (Figure 19). The annual number of
work-related low back disorder hospitalizations for persons 16 years old and above was 225 with an annual
rate of 11.9 hospitalizations/100,000 employees.
Figure 19. Kentucky Work-Related Surgical or Nonsurgical Low Back Disorder Hospitalization Rates
Among Persons 16 Years and Older, 2009-2012
14
Rate per 100,000
Employed Persons
12
11.4
9.9
10
8
8.4
8.6
6.0
6
4.6
4.3
3.3
4
2
0
2009
2010
2011
Surgical
Non-surgical
Data Source: Kentucky Department for Public Health, Office of Health Policy
12
2012
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #21 (Kentucky-Specific): Fatal and Non-Fatal Occupational Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries
In 2012, there were 10,809 occupational motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in Kentucky, a 7% decrease from
11,665 in 2011; 100 drivers or occupants in the vehicles involved in these collisions were killed and 2,558
people were injured. Table 2 compares some characteristics of the commercial vehicles involved in
collisions in Kentucky 2008-2012. In about two thirds of the cases, the commercial vehicle driver was
reported as at fault according to the police officer. There were 31 commercial vehicle fires in 2012
compared to 19 reported in 2011. The number of buses involved in motor vehicle collisions increased from
135 in 2011 to 142 in the year 2012.
Table 2. Kentucky Commercial Vehicle Collisions, 2008-2012
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
N
N
N
N
N
Total number of commercial vehicles involved in
collisions in Kentucky
7,159
5,683
5,984
6,347
6,052
Unit number 01 (unit at fault according to the police )
4662
3674
3840
4133
3903
Fatal
20
19
9
13
10
Incapacitating
48
38
31
48
38
Non-incapacitating
152
138
145
115
108
Possible injury
186
138
139
141
147
34
25
33
19
31
3980
3252
3466
3054
2818
115
107
99
83
79
1691
1392
1438
1423
1381
1,601
1,319
1,316
1,458
1,384
110
116
148
135
142
54
55
59
73
68
Truck and trailer
1290
1013
1,018
1120
1,072
Truck – single unit
1739
1473
1498
1375
1403
Truck tractor & semi-trailer
3789
2894
3111
3465
3238
Truck – other combination
133
94
122
137
109
43
34
28
41
20
141
156
171
150
132
Driver's injury
Vehicle fire
KY license
Total number of fatalities in collisions involving a
commercial vehicle
Total number of injuries in collisions involving a
commercial vehicle
Single vehicle collision
Unit type
Bus
School bus
Other
Hazard cargo present
Data Source: Kentucky State Police Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) database
13
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
Indicator #22 (Kentucky- Specific): Occupational Motor Vehicle Collisions- First Reports of Injury and
Claims Filed with Workers’ Claims by Injury Year
There were 1,181 occupational motor vehicle collision claims or first reports of injury filed with Kentucky
workers’ compensation in 2012, with 62 injuries /100,000 workers (Figure 20).
Figure 20. Occupational Motor Vehicle Collision Injury Rates, 2000-2012
Rate per 100,000
Employed Persons
200
150
98
96
96
99
96
95
91
100
89
89
67
65
69
62
2009
2010
2011
2012
50
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims
Indicator #23 (Kentucky- Specific): Occupational Falls- First Reports of Injury and Claims Filed with
Workers’ Claims by Injury Year
In 2012, there were 6,139 occupational fall claims and first reports filed with an associated occupational fall
injury incidence rate of 323/100,000 employed workers, an 8% decrease from 2011 (Figure 21). Most
occupational falls occurred in the services (n=1,849; 30%) and manufacturing (n=809; 13%) industries.
Figure 21. Occupational Fall Injury Incidence Rates, 2000-2012
Rate per 100,000
Employed Persons
450
400
350
342
334
330
352
311
322
2003
2004
299
307
309
311
2005
2006
2007
2008
363
353
323
300
250
200
2000
2001
2002
KY
Data Source: Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims.
14
2009
2010
2011
2012
Occupational Health in Kentucky: Annual Report 2013
This publication was supported by grant number 1U60/OH008483-09 from
CDC-NIOSH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the Kentucky Injury
Prevention and Research Center and do not necessarily represent the official
views of NIOSH.
The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) is a partnership
between the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the University of
Kentucky’s College of Public Health that combines academic investigation
with practical public health initiatives.
Inquiries should be directed to:
Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center
333 Waller Avenue, Suite 242
Lexington, Kentucky 40504
(859) 257-4954 office
(859) 257-3909 fax
http://www.kiprc.uky.edu
15