NCJ Number
124812
Journal
Canadian Journal of Public Health Volume: 81 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1990) Pages: 10-15
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In the process of identifying the extent of the problem of work-related homicide in Ontario from 1975 to 1985 and the industries and occupations most at risk, an effort was made to determine those existing Ontario data sources most useful in data gathering, the limitations of these sources, and the ways occupational health and safety agencies address the problem.
Abstract
The Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Mortality Database (OMDB) were the sources used to identify 84 work-related homicides. Of these 84 homicide deaths, 73 (87 percent) were males ranging in age from 16 to 77. The 84 deaths represent an average annual work-related homicide rate of 0.17/100,000 workers; the homicide rate was 0.26/100,000 for males and 0.05/100,000 for females. The homicides were confined primarily to the major industry groupings of transportation, trade, service, and public administration (which includes police) for males; all female deaths occurred in trade and service industries. The weapon or method responsible for the homicide was gunshot in 47 deaths, beating in 17, stabbing in 14, and "other" in 6. The Ministry of Labor could not provide statistics for work-related homicides. Although the Workers' Compensation Board collected statistics on all workplace fatalities, the numbers or proportion due to homicide could not be identified. Recommendations are made for modifying the current reporting system, including establishing a better national reporting system for all acute traumatic occupational injuries and changing death certificates to provide an injury-at-work field, regardless of the location of accidental or traumatic death. 4 tables, 22 references.