Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Abstract

In this report, compensable cases of worker injury reported to the Louisiana Office of Workers Compensation have been analyzed for the poultry processing operations for the period 1985 to 1992. The number of employees has steadily increased over the years (1,196 in 1985 and 1,928 in 1990). The incidence rates (per 100 full time employees per year), however, did not reveal an increasing trend, but was highest in 1987 (3.25), followed by 3.11 in 1990. Forty-one percent of the compensable cases were workers employed less than one year on the job. Sprains and strains accounted for the largest percentage of cases (41%) and the average total cost per case was $14,700. Among these sprain and strain injuries, the back was the most frequently affected body part (66%). During the period there was a notable increase in the incidence of cumulative trauma disorders, known as CTDs (4% in 1987, 20% in 1991, and 13% in 1992). More than one third (36%) of all cases occurred to the upper extremities alone. On an average, back and head injuries cost the industry $24,900 and $18,900, respectively. All working surface injuries averaged $28,000, while falls resulted in an average of $25,900. A relationship between workers’ compensation costs and lost workdays has been determined. © 1994 Applied Poultry Science, Inc.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Applied Poultry Research

First Page

342

Last Page

354

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