The Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR)
The following methods were used in conjunction with producing the data in the Chapter 4 Figures of the NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook 2004.
Fatal Injury Rates
Fatal injury rates were calculated using fatality counts from the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) as numerators, and a workforce estimate (denominator) based on hours worked data from the BLS Current Population Survey (CPS).
Construction trades were identified using CFOI three-digit occupation codes. A full-time equivalent (FTE) for each construction trade was obtained from the CPS, corresponding to the three-digit occupation codes. Each FTE was computed as an average value within each occupation group over the 12 months during each survey year using the formula FTE = 52HW/2000, where H = hours worked per week, and W = the weighted value in CPS. This formula assumes a full-time employee works 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year, or 2,000 hours per year. Respondents who did not report hours were excluded from the calculation.
A fatal rate was computed for each of the construction trades and the construction industry. Each annual rate was computed using the annual CFOI fatality count as the numerator, and the corresponding FTE estimate as the denominator, per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.
Nonfatal Injury and Illness Rates
The calculation of nonfatal injury and illness rates was similar in methods to those employed for fatal injury rates. Numerators for the rate computations were taken from the BLS Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses using counts of cases involving days away from work for the same three-digit occupation codes noted above. FTEs for the self-employed were excluded from the computation. Rates were computed as above, but expressed per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers.
Hispanic Construction Workers
Hispanic origin or ethnicity, as defined in CFOI and the CPS, includes a diverse population of all races. Hispanics include U.S.- and foreign-born. In the CPS, individuals identify themselves or are identified as Hispanic by proxy respondents. In CFOI, multiple data sources, such as news accounts and death certificates, may be evaluated and serve to document Hispanic ethnicity or other racial characteristics.
Establishments
Information about establishments or employers was obtained from the most recent Economic Census. Large construction employers may include more than one establishment if they have more than one payroll office. The Economic Census produces information about the number of employees, location, industry code for principal activity, and other data for establishments with payrolls. The group of nonemployers, or establishments with zero employees reported, was excluded from these calculations. These nonemployers or establishments with zero employees for the month of March are not the same as self-employed workers. The workforce of self-employed is assessed based on the CPS household survey responses to class of worker questions. Some self-employed workers are in establishments with payroll, in which case they are the owner or partner.
For further information, contact
Janie Gittleman, Ph.D., M.R.P.
Associate Director, Safety and Health Research
Center to Protect Workers’ Rights
Suite 1000
8484 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Ph: 301–578–8500, extension 107
Cell: 202–302–1340
Fax: 301–578–8572
email: jgittleman@cpwr.com
