Abstract
The risk of injury varies with age and sex. Thus, it is possible to draw biased conclusions when considering unadjusted data. Standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) are summary statements that remove differences in the compositions of the populations under study, permitting unbiased comparisons with respect to certain variables. Workers' compensation data and census data were combined to calculate SMRs for amputations and fractures by occupation. Based on this analysis, occupations were identified that have a high estimated relative risk of amputations (machinists and heavy equipment mechanics) and of fractures (firefighters and plumbers).