Are the self-employed at higher risk of fatal work-related injury?
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to determine if the rates of work-related fatal injury differed between employees and self-employed persons, allowing for differences in their industry and occupation. METHODS: The analysis was part of a much larger study of all work-related fatalities that occurred in Australia during the 4-year period 1989-1992 inclusive and which was based on information from coroners’ files. Analysis was based on both practical and legal definitions of self-employment. Unadjusted rates, rates for specific industry and occupation groups, and rates adjusted for differences in industry and occupation distribution were calculated. FINDINGS: The unadjusted rate for self-employed persons per 100,000 persons per year (95% CI) was 8.4 (7.5-9.2), which was 70% higher than the employee rate of 5.0 (4.7-5.2). However, after adjustment for industry, the rates were almost identical (self-employed: 5.8; employee: 6.0). Adjustment for occupation still left a 40% higher rate for
