FALL-RELATED DEATHS IN THE CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY

Occupational Safety and Health Administration fatality inspection reco rds were examined in this study to identify potential causes for occup ational falls that resulted in death. Proportionate mortality ratios i dentified significantly higher proportions of deaths resulting from fa lls off ladders in electrical trades and plumbing and heating trades ( p < .01). The highway and streets trade had a significantly higher pro portion of deaths resulting from falls from improper work surfaces, su ch as from the top of moving vehicles (p < .01). Three trades had sign ificantly lower proportions of deaths resulting from falls from variou s causes. The electrical work trade had a significantly lower proporti on of deaths from falls due to a lack of fall protection, whereas the roofing trade had significantly lower proportion of deaths resuting fr om falls from improper work surfaces (p < .01), and the masonry trade had a significantly lower proportion of deaths caused by falls from la dders (p < .05). With the increased risk of death from a fall identifi ed for various industries, fall prevention strategies can be best iden tified and implemented. These measures include identifying potential f all hazards, proper selection and use of fall protection systems, and employee training on fall hazards in the workplace. (C) 1998 National Safety Council and Elsevier Science Ltd.