FATAL WORK-RELATED FALLS FROM ROOFS

Each year over 500 U.S. workers are killed in falls and approximately 20% of these falls are from roofs. This study examines death certifica te data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities database and found 288 fat al falls from roofs in 1984-86, 138 (48%) of which were matched with r eports of Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations . Workers in the construction industry suffered 232 of the 288 fatal f alls (80%). Workers in roofing trades (SIG 1761, 104 deaths) and struc tural steel erection (SIG 1791, 27 deaths) had the greatest frequency of injury. Poorly marked or unguarded roof openings were associated wi th 42 deaths. There were 24 fatal falls through skylights, and 27 fata l falls through other roof structures or materials unable to support a worker's weight. Of the 24 fatal falls through skylights, sufficient details were available to determine that 12 of the 24 involved falls t hrough plastic or fiberglass skylights. Standards for strength require ments for skylights are advisable. Data sources used for this study la cked details concerning use of personal protective equipment such as s afety belts and lanyards. However, the study provides general informat ion on falls from roofs that may be useful in planning preventive meas ures.