Women’s Mental Health and Work-Related Injuries

Workers Compensation Attorneys Helping Women Affected by Gender-Related Work Issues in Princeton, Ewing, Hamilton, Pennington and across Mercer County, NJ

Though there have been many studies that have addressed work-related injuries, the role that gender plays in work injuries was the subject of a study conducted by the Colorado School of Health’s Center for Health, Work, and Environment on the Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The study found that women who suffer from depression, psychological distress, anxiety, and fatigue are much more likely to suffer work-related injuries. Moreover, the study found that these health factors significantly affected women’s risk of injury but that men’s risk was not significantly affected. This means that employers and employees must take special care when addressing women’s psychological issues and their connection to workplace safety.

Depression, Anxiety, and Fatigue in the Workplace

Though depression, anxiety, and fatigue were contributing factors to a heightened risk of injury for women, once again, the same could not be said of men who participated in the study. Based on this research one can conclude that ensuring the safety of workers calls for an approach that involves health, well-being, and safety. Programs instituted by employers that are aimed at preventing injury should take into account workplace conditions along with worker psychological health.

Men vs. Women Mental and Behavioral Health at Work

Furthermore, the researchers at the Colorado School of Health also found that women were more likely to report issues concerning mental and behavioral health. According to the study, these conditions are a sign of the increased risk of suffering a work injury. Approximately 60 percent of women who have suffered a work injury also reported that they had a behavioral health problem prior to their injury. Though men suffered more work-related injuries overall, these injuries were usually not connected to behavioral health problems. Only 33 percent of men reported having a behavioral health condition, such as poor sleep or anxiety, prior to their work injury.

More research is clearly necessary in order to fully understand the reasons for the differences in women’s and men’s risk of work-related injuries. However, a consideration that all employers should take into account is that irrespective of gender, workers who have previously suffered an injury are more likely to be injured again.

Common causes of Woman’s Work-related Injuries

Department of Labor Statistics data shows that of the approximately 128 million working-age women (16 years of age and older) in the US, 57.2% have full- or part-time jobs, compared to 34% in the 1950s. In fact, female employees represent approximately 45% of all work hours. This increase in participation has translated into more work-related injuries.

Although women are injured at work less often than men, some safety incident types are disproportionately more frequent for women. In addition, women face some unique workplace health and safety issues that must be addressed by organizations.

The most common causes of workplace injuries for women include:

• Roadway accidents: Though not much can be done about risks such as weather conditions and other drivers on the road, it is critical that all transportation workers, particularly commercial drivers, receive regular roadway safety training to improve their skills and be prepared for any situation they may encounter. However, the psychological and emotional health of all drivers should be taken into account by employers.
• Falls, slips, and trips: These types of incidents often occur in indoor settings where women are more likely to work. The training employees to be more aware of their surroundings and exhibit greater caution on the job can reduce the frequency of these avoidable injuries by improving their safety behaviors.
• Being struck by an object or equipment: Women who work in industries with greater natural hazards such as construction and manufacturing must be provided with adequate training to operate and work around heavy machinery/equipment, including following all safety rules and guidelines to prevent adding unnecessary risk to already dangerous jobs. It is also critical for women who work in environments that deploy heavy machinery or objects to maintain alertness at all times. Depression, fatigue and other psychological issues can have a direct effect on alertness and thus increase the risk of injury.

Get in touch with our Hamilton Workers Compensation Attorneys Today

At Cohen & Riechelson, our attorneys are extensively experienced in workers’ compensation law across Princeton, Ewing, Hamilton, Pennington, and across Mercer County, New Jersey, including representing female workers who have been injured as a result of their work. We take pride in representing all our clients with understanding and compassion.

You have several options at your disposal to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today regarding your injury on the job; you can fill out the online contact form call at (215) 337-4915 or you also visit our office at 3500 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 203, Hamilton, NJ 08619 to learn more about how our workers’ compensation team and how we can assist you.