Employees in Connecticut reported occupational illnesses in 2011 at a much higher rate than the national average, according to a new analysis by the University of Connecticut.
There were 7,265 unique cases of occupational illness in 2011, bringing the state’s ratio to 27.8 illnesses per 10,000 workers. That’s 35 percent higher than the national average.
The majority of the reported illnesses in 2011 were attributed to musculoskeletal disorders. The manufacturing sector had the highest rates of illness.
Occupational illnesses are separate from traumatic occupational injuries, but both qualify an employee for workers’ compensation benefits. UConn prepared the study for the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Tim Morse, an environmental expert with the UConn Health center, said reducing workers’ exposure to chemicals and implementing ergonomic design into workplaces could help to lower the rate.
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