Affiliations: Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Office of Occupational Health and Safety, University
of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: David M. Andrews, Associate
Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue,
Windsor, Ont., Canada N9B 3P4. Tel.: +1 519 253 3000 ext. 2433; Fax: +1 519 973
7056; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Research examining occupational injuries of university employees is
limited, with previous work in the education sector focusing primarily on
students and athletic teams. The current study examined occupational injuries
over a five year period to determine the magnitude and nature of occupational
injuries in a Canadian university with a view to developing prevention and
intervention strategies. Findings suggested that women in full-time positions
reported more injuries than men, and that as employees' level of experience
increased the incidence of injury decreased. Analysis of injury characteristics
revealed that the fingers, back and hand were the most frequently injured sites
typically as a result of being struck or caught by an object, a slip/trip, or
overexertion. These injuries resulted predominantly in an acute soft tissue
injury requiring medical attention. Over the five year study period, food
services, housekeeping and clerical staff filed the greatest number of
accident/incident reports. Future investigations should employ a prospective
approach which would allow researchers to determine variables of interest,
ensure adequate data collection, and aim to improve the generalizability of
research findings in this area.
Keywords: Occupational health and safety, post secondary education
