Work-Related Injuries to the Foot: Data from an Occupational Injury/Illness Surveillance System

In 1988, a total of 990 work-related injuries to the foot of employees from private-sector companies were characterized in an occupational injury/illness surveillance system maintained by a network of occupational health centers. The mean age of the worker with afoot injury was 34.2 years (±12.0), with 83% occurring among men; 22.3% of the cases were fractures or sprains/ strains. Jobs involving extensive manual material handling or vehicular operations were the most often listed occupations among those with workrelated foot injuries. Across occupational groups, being struck by an object accounted for 58.4% of the foot injuries. Regardless of industry group, metal items and vehicles were related to 50.7% of all work-related foot injuries. Specifically, foot injuries were found to be associated with being struck by boxes, metals, or vehicles, or to being caught in, under, or between vehicles or machinery. A peak of work-related injuries involving the foot is observed during the summer months.