WORK-RELATED DEATHS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN AUSTRALIA, 1982 TO1984

Work-related deaths of children and adolescents up to the age of 19 ye ars were studied as part of a larger investigation into all work-relat ed fatalities in Australia in the three-year period, 1982 to 1984. Thi s study aimed to characterise the circumstances which led to the death s of these children. Of 1738 work-related fatalities identified over t he three years in the larger investigation, 67 (4 per cent) were aged under 15 years, and 117 (7 per cent) were aged 15 to 19 years. The fat alities were characterised by a number of variables, the most importan t being age, sex, bystander status, location (farm or other) and vehic le involvement (especially tractors). The causes of death differed bet ween subgroups. Although existing controls may be reasonably effective in minimising child deaths in most work places, farms are an exceptio n. On farms, home and work activities overlap, and informal participat ion in work by the young is quite common. Preventive efforts should gi ve special attention to farms and tractors, to toddlers and male child ren, and to measures (such as safety devices and other external contro l measures) which do not rely on behavioural change in the young peopl e at risk. Adults responsible for young children should be educated to anticipate dangerous situations and thus ensure children are protecte d from injury hazards.