AN EXAMINATION OF OCCUPATIONAL FATALITIES INVOLVING IMPACT-RELATED HEAD-INJURIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY

Head injuries are the reason for which workers' compensation claims ar e most frequently filed and have the highest average cost per claim. T he purpose of this study was to identify the construction industry tra des with the greatest risk for an occupational fatality due to impact- related head injuries, Proportionate mortality ratios identified the h ighway and streets construction trades as having over three times the expected number of fatalities (P < 0.01) due to impact-related head in juries than expected, while the heavy construction trades had over two times the expected number of fatalities (P < 0. 01) due to impact-rel ated head injuries. The majority of these fatalities were the result o f vehicle incidents and the worker's being struck by various forms of equipment that were in the process of being moved. Prevention strategi es should be focused on vehicle safety, driver education, safe materia l handling; and the use of hard hats.