AGE DIFFERENCES IN OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Occupational injuries at construction sites are identified as a major problem throughout the world. The purposes of this study are to estimate the number and average annual rate of occupational traumatic injuries and to estimate the age differences in transition period between 1993s and 2003s in construction industry. The most prevalence of injuries was registered in 1994 (4.55%) and in 2003 s (4.38%). The number of injured workers under the 20 years of age decreased in the examined period (from 22.2% in 1993s to 4.6% in the 2003s). The number of injured worker over the 51 years of age increased in the examined period (from 0.9% in 1993s to 17.8% in 2003 s). Closed fractures (24.1%), open fractures (14.6%) and dislocated fractures (10.9%) were the most common type of injuries in the examined period. These types of injuries were the most frequently presented at the workers over the 51 years of age. Falls from height, falls on same level and traffic accidents were the most common causes of occupational injuries in the examined period. Falls from height and falls on the same level were the most common presented at the workers over the 51 years of age. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of occupational injuries among the workers under the 30 years of age. Severity ratio of occupational injuries raised by the age of injured workers. Severity ratio of injuries raised in the examined period (from 60.6 in 1993s to 82.7 in the 2003s). Traumatic occupational injuries are a specific and significant problem in construction industry in the transition period.