Descriptive epidemiology in job injury surveillance

Abstract Coleman, P.J., 1984. Descriptive epidemiology in job injury surveillance. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 6: 135–146. Descriptive epidemiology is a well-defined set of methods for describing the distribution of diseases among human populations. It is less commonly used in describing accident and injury occurrences, particularly for occupational injuries. In particular, surveillance of occupational injuries in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, is currently carried out using traditional labor statistics and administrative statistics. By combining these data sources with employment figures, risk assessment using epidemiologic methods is carried out where possible. The data sources are described and their advantages and limitations discussed. The various purposes of surveillance activities are outlined, and the data sources are examined as to how well they serve these purposes. Recommendations are included for improving existing data sources and for planning new data collection efforts so that safety problems in the workplace can be more scientifically assessed and defined.