Comparison of the epidemiology and injury profile among injured patients involved in special purpose vehicle-related incidents in South Korea

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2021;76(1):23-30. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1754745. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Abstract

Injuries caused by mobile machinery or special purpose vehicles (SPVs) can lead to high socio-medical cost and fatality. In this descriptive study, we compared the epidemiology and injury profile of injured patients involved in SPVs-related incidents. We analyzed a nationwide database of SPV-related injured patients between January 2011 and December 2016. Injured patients were classified into three groups: pedestrian, motor vehicle occupant (MVO), and SPV operator groups. Of 1,419 cases, the highest number of SPV-related injured patients were found in the age group 40-59 years (671 cases, 47.3%) and at transport area (771 cases, 54.3%). The injury was most severe in the SPV operator group. The lower extremities were the most common fracture site, and intrathoracic injury was the most common visceral regions for SPV-related injured patients. SPV operator could lead to fatal intrathoracic injuries.

Keywords: Epidemiology; industry; injury; motor vehicles; occupational injuries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Vehicles / classification*
  • Motor Vehicles / statistics & numerical data*
  • Occupational Health
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • Walking
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult