Emergency department visits for the treatment of work-related injury and illness in Ontario

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Published: February 2011

by: Mustard C, Chambers A, Bielecky A, McLeod CB, Smith PM

This reports presents the findings of a study comparing the incidence of work-related injuries and illnesses presenting to Ontario's hospital emergency departments to the incidence of workers’ compensation claims reported to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board over the period 2004-2008. The study concluded that emergency department records available for the complete population of Ontario residents are a valid source of surveillance information on the incidence of work-related disorders. As a result, the report's authors recommend that occupational health and safety authorities should give priority to incorporating emergency department records in the routine surveillance of the health of workers.