Causes of Disability in Employees of the Mining Industry: Analysis of Social Security Disability Benefit Awards and Allowances to Workers. 1969-1973, 1975-1976

This study concerning causes of disability in the mining industry used the Social Security Administration disabled worker database which contained data on workers eligible for benefits for total disability. Disability allowances to white male miners for 1969 to 1973 and 1975 to 1976 were evaluated. Age adjusted proportional morbidity ratios (PMRs) were calculated for 67 causes of disability for six mining occupations and four mining industries. Diseases of the respiratory system as causes of disability among all groups showed significantly higher PMRs except for workers in the oil and gas extraction industry. Among employees of the oil and gas extraction industry, musculoskeletal diseases caused disproportionately high disability. PMRs were also significantly high for accidents, poisonings, and violence. According to the authors, these findings agree with those of earlier studies and support the usefulness and accuracy of this data source for epidemiological analyses.

Causes of Disability in Employees of the Mining Industry: Analysis of Social Security Disability Benefit Awards and Allowances to Workers. 1969-1973, 1975-1976 [PDF – 7 MB]