Welder eye injuries.

During 1985, welders submitted 21% of all claims for eye injuries received by the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta. Since then the proportion of similar claims has remained high. A descriptive study of welder eye injury claims reveals that, although most injuries are reversible (55% of workers return to work in less than 2 days and 95% in less than 7 days), some workers sustain permanent visual impairment.

Costs of workers' compensation claims for hearing loss.

Much has been written about the merits, needs, adequacy, and effectiveness of hearing conservation programs but very little about the cost of noise-induced hearing loss. Using claims for hearing loss submitted to a Canadian compensation board for a 5-years period (1979 to 1983), we estimated the current cost per claim to be $14,106. We observed an annual increase of 20.

Occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus. Analysis of indications for hepatitis B vaccine.

This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence of acute and chronic morbidity due to hepatitis B infection among employees of an institution for the mentally retarded. Based on a review of medical records, surveillance data, and serologic testing, we found no evidence of excess morbidity among 2,000 employees in a 10-year period. Hepatitis B vaccination is neither warranted nor presently cost-effective for most client-care personnel.