Abstract
Lost time accidents for migrant and non migrant workers in Western Australia were studied and the incidence of back injuries between the two populations compared. In particular, back injuries sustained by migrant workers from Southern European countries ('Mediterranean back syndrome') were compared with the other groups. Industrial accident statistics covering the workforce of Western Australia (about 450,000) were compared with data obtained from the Water Authority, the Royal Perth Hospital, and the Australian Electrical, Electronics, Foundry and Engineering Union in Western Australia. The occurrence of back injuries among migrant workers, and in particular among migrant workers from Southern Europe, was statistically similar to that for the non-migrant workers, and there was no evidence for the phenomenon of the 'Mediterranean back syndrome'.