Overview

Many American workers, regardless of industry or occupation, are exposed to fall hazards daily during performance of their job tasks. This publication describes the magnitude of the problem of occupational falls in the U.S., identifies potential risk factors for fatal injury, and provides recommendations for developing effective safety programs to reduce the risk of fatal falls. This publication summarizes surveillance data and investigative reports of fatal work-related falls from elevations. The surveillance data were derived from the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system maintained by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NTOF data are based on death certificates for workers aged 16 years or older who died from traumatic injuries in the workplace. The fatality investigations were conducted as part of the NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program, a research program for the identification and investigation of fatal occupational injuries. The goal of the FACE program is to collect information on factors that may have contributed to occupational fatalities, using an epidemiologic approach, and to develop and disseminate recommendations for prevention of similar incidents in the future. Based on the NTOF surveillance data, falls from elevations were the fourth leading cause of occupational fatalities from 1980 through 1994. The 8,102 deaths due to falls from elevations accounted for 10% of all fatalities and an average of 540 deaths per year. Between 1982 and 1997, NIOSH investigated 90 falls incidents which resulted in 91 fatalities. Part I of this publication provides an overview of fall hazards in the workplace, a summary of the epidemiology of fatal occupational falls, and recommended elements for an effective safety program for the prevention of falls in the workplace. Part II contains case summaries and prevention recommendations from all 90 FACE fall investigation reports prepared by NIOSH for further information and reference. This publication reviews what is known about occupational fatalities due to falls from elevations, identifies common risk factors and exposures, and recommends general approaches to preventing these fatal events. Our hope is that this document will serve as a valuable resource for safety and public health professionals, safety and health trainers, and researchers, prompting further injury prevention efforts to reduce fatal falls in the workplace.

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9781493591893

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