Mandated rest breaks and occupational injuries and illnesses in Dallas County, TX construction workers: A quasi-experimental, comparative interrupted time series study

Leah H Schinasi; Augusta Williams; Alina Schnake-Mahl

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003144

Mandated rest breaks and occupational injuries and illnesses in Dallas County, TX construction workers: A quasi-experimental, comparative interrupted time series study

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 May 10. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003144. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Leah H Schinasi, Augusta Williams¹, Alina Schnake-Mahl

Affiliation

¹ Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY.

PMID: 38729206
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003144

Abstract

Objective: We estimated associations of a rest break ordinance, implemented for construction workers in Dallas, Texas in 2016, with workplace injuries and illnesses.

Methods: We used workers' compensation claims data to compare changes in rates of injuries and illnesses among Dallas, TX County construction (i.e., "treated") workers with changes in untreated workers, before (2013 - 2015) and after (2016 - 2018) a rest break ordinance was implemented.

Results: Immediately after the ordinance was implemented, rates of injuries/illnesses among treated workers were modestly lower than in comparison workers (Rate Ratio comparing post- versus pre-mandate rates, treated versus comparison workers: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.72 - 1.11). Post- vs pre-ordinance slope trends were similar in the treated versus the comparison group.

Conclusion: Ten-minute rest breaks were associated with modestly lower rates of workplace injury/illnesses. More comprehensive standards may be needed for protection.