RAND Research Topic: Occupational Health and Safety 2012-05-24T21:04:46Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/occupational-health-and-safety.html States with Low Workplace Nonfatal Injury Rates Have High Fatality Rates and Vice Versa http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/05/07.html May 7, 2012 May 7, 2012 States with low nonfatal injury rates and high fatality rates tend to be in the South, have lower workers' compensation benefits, be less unionized, and pay lower wages&mdash;while states with high nonfatal injury rates and lower fatality rates tend to be in the West, pay higher benefits and wages, be more strongly unionized, and carry out more workplace inspections. California Workplace Safety Program Can Reduce Injuries When Inspectors Enforce It http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/01/26.html Jan 26, 2012 Jan 26, 2012 The first evaluation of the California Injury and Illness Prevention Program found evidence that it reduces workplace injuries, but only at businesses that had been cited for not addressing the regulation's more-specific safety mandates. Higher penalties could enhance compliance but having inspectors conduct more in-depth assessments and linking the violations and injuries to the program would have more impact. California Workplace Safety Program Can Reduce Injuries When Inspectors Enforce It http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1190.html Jan 26, 2012 Jan 26, 2012 The first evaluation of the California Injury and Illness Prevention Program found that it reduces workplace injuries, but only at businesses that had been cited for not addressing the regulation's more-specific safety mandates. Having inspectors conduct more in-depth assessments and linking the violations and injuries to the program would have more impact. Management of Occupational Safety and Health: Analysis of Data from the European Survey : European Risk Observatory Report http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120084.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 This report focuses on management of safety and health at work, examining how practices vary across Europe depending on, for example, establishment size, location and sector. Assessing Quality of Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome http://www.rand.org/law-business-regulation/centers/chsw/projects/carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html Dec 2, 2011 Dec 2, 2011 By measuring the quality of care for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a large workers' compensation provider organization in California and assessing value to workers and employers, RAND laid the groundwork for ongoing quality assessment and improvement programs in workers' compensation settings within California and elsewhere. Making the Civil Justice System More Efficient and Equitable http://www.rand.org/law-business-regulation/centers/civil-justice.html Oct 3, 2011 Oct 3, 2011 The RAND Institute for Civil Justice (ICJ) conducts research on all aspects of civil justice, from trends in litigation and jury verdicts to punitive damages, compensation systems, and alternative dispute resolution. Directly or indirectly, civil justice issues have an impact on us all. RAND/UCLA Quality-of-Care Measures for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Tools for Assessing Quality of Care and Appropriateness of Surgery http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR809.html Aug 16, 2011 Aug 16, 2011 This study produced two unique tools for healthcare organizations to use to assess, monitor, and provide appropriate care for people with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). One tool assesses the quality of care received by a population of patients with CTS; the other identifies whether surgery is necessary, optional, or inappropriate for individual patients. Quality Measures for the Diagnosis and Non-Operative Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Occupational Settings http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20110027.html Feb 28, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 This study developed quality measures for diagnosis and management of occupationally associated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which should outcomes for patients with this condition. Center for Disability Research Seeks to Understand Social and Economic Causes, Effects of Disability http://www.rand.org/labor/centers/cdr.html Jan 21, 2011 Jan 21, 2011 The RAND Center for Disability Research aims to better understand the social and economic causes and consequences of disability. Research themes include examining the roles of employers, health-care markets, knowledge networks, and social insurance programs. Safety and Health Protection Efforts in the Police Service http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100121.html Dec 31, 2010 Dec 31, 2010 Providing Body Armor to All U.S. Police Officers Is Worth the Cost http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20100099.html Aug 30, 2010 Aug 30, 2010 The additional cost of providing body armor to all law enforcement officers in the United States is more than justified compared to the savings that would be created by fewer serious injuries and officer deaths. The Frequency, Severity, and Economic Consequences of Musculoskeletal Injuries to Firefighters in California http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1018.html Jun 21, 2010 Jun 21, 2010 <p>The most common work-related injuries among firefighters are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Understanding the frequency and severity of firefighter MSDs is more important with recent changes to California workers' compensation. This book describes the effect of work-related MSDs on firefighters' earnings and employment, the reforms' impact on disability ratings, and employment outcomes since the reforms to the medical delivery system.</p> The Role of Inspection Sequence in Compliance with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Standards: Interpretations and Implications http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20100020.html Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2009 <p>The authors examined the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's inspections in the US to identify the effects of repeated inspections and the time between inspections on non-compliance.</p> Integrating DoD's Occupational and Non-Occupational Health Services http://www.rand.org/law-business-regulation/centers/chsw/projects/defense-occupational-health.html Nov 16, 2009 Nov 16, 2009 The Department of Defense (DoD) is considering moving toward a more integrated employee health system that includes occupational safety and health for active-duty service members. RAND compiled extensive information about the current system and requisite elements for such integration. Health and wellbeing at work in the United Kingdom http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR758.html Sep 14, 2009 Sep 14, 2009 <p>The report presents the findings of a study undertaken for the English Department of Health in 2009 on whether health workplace interventions could improve the levels of health and wellbeing in British workplaces and the NHS in England.</p> Substance Use Is Not the Primary Cause of Workplace Injuries, but Is a Contributing Factor http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP247.html Jun 7, 2009 Jun 7, 2009 <p>Occupational injuries are a serious public-health issue and cause significant morbidity and mortality in the United States, with direct and indirect costs extending beyond injured workers to their families, other workers, firms, and consumers. This paper explores the link between substance use and work-related accidents.</p> Demonstrating and Communicating Research Impact: Preparing NIOSH Programs for External Review http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG809.html Feb 3, 2009 Feb 3, 2009 <p>From 2005 to 2008, the National Academies conducted an external review of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) research programs. This external review assessed programs' impact on and relevance to preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. This book describes the methodology that RAND researchers developed to help NIOSH programs prepare for the external review.</p> Helping Research Programs Demonstrate Impact http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9418.html Feb 3, 2009 Feb 3, 2009 <p>RAND researchers used logic models, outcome worksheets, and outcome narratives to help the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health demonstrate and communicate the impact of its research.</p> Foundation for Integrating Employee Health Activities for Active Duty Personnel in the Department of Defense http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG799.html Jan 13, 2009 Jan 13, 2009 <p>The authors describe current Department of Defense safety and occupational health programs and health information systems, as well as employee health programs outside of DoD to provide a foundation for considering a more integrated Department of Defense employee health program.</p> Pathways to Health Risk Exposure in Adult Film Performers http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20090111.html Dec 31, 2008 Dec 31, 2008 <p>Despite being part of a large and legal industry in Los Angeles, little is known about adult film performers' exposure to health risks and when and how these risks might occur. The objective was to identify exposure to physical, mental, and social health risks and the pathways to such risks among adult film performers and to determine how risks differ between different types of performers, such as men and women.</p>