Injury incidence and patterns in workers with intellectual disability: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND

Workplace safety is a concern in the employment of persons with intellectual disability, due to both real concerns for employee well-being, and the effect that negative perceptions of safety risk can have on hiring.

METHOD

This study involved a retrospective analysis of workplace insurance claim records for workers with and without disability in a Canadian social enterprise.

RESULTS

Workers with intellectual disability sustained fewer injuries and experienced fewer absences due to injury than workers without disability. Lost-time injury rates for this business were not significantly different from those reported by other employers in the jurisdiction.

CONCLUSION

Workplace safety is a concern for all workers, but fear of increased injury rates and heightened compensation costs should not be perceived as a risk when hiring individuals with intellectual disability.