An analysis of occupational homicides involving workers 19 years old and younger.

Studies indicate that persons employed in various retail occupations such as convenience stores and restaurants experience an increased risk for being a victim of an occupational homicide. A large proportion of workers aged 19 and under are employed in these types of occupations. The purpose of this study was to determine if the workers from this age group employed in retail trades have a significantly greater risk for being a victim of a homicide. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries were analyzed in this study. The cases included in this study were victims of an occupational homicide that occurred during the period of 1992 to 1996. Proportionate mortality ratios were used to identify the industries in which workers aged 19 and under were experiencing significantly higher proportion of fatalities. Relative risks were calculated to determine if, based on the number of person-years of exposure, workers aged 19 and under in retail trades were experiencing a significantly greater relative risk for being a victim of an occupational homicide. Results indicate that workers aged 19 and under experience a significantly greater proportion of fatalities due to violence in the retail trade. Workers 19 years and under employed in retail trade occupations do experience a significantly greater proportion of fatalities than their counterparts in other industries. Prevention strategies presented include providing employee training and implementing various security measures.

Occupational fatalities involving forklifts.

BACKGROUND: Forklift rollovers account for approximately 18% of all fatalities involving forklifts and many of the more serious injuries in the workplace. METHODS: Proportionate mortality ratios were calculated by using Occupational Safety and Health Administration fatality inspection records for forklift rollovers that resulted in a fatality by industry. An analysis of variance procedure was performed on the average ages of the victims by industry. RESULTS: The retail trades industry had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) than expected proportion of fatalities attributable to forklift rollovers. The analysis of variance identified significant differences in the average ages of the victims; however, post hoc comparisons did not yield significant differences. CONCLUSION: The majority of the fatalities in the retail trades industry occurred in the building materials, garden supply, and hardware retail trades. Engineering and administrative prevention measures are discussed.

Compliance with OSHA's respiratory protection standard in hospitals.

This study examined the incidence of violations of occupational safety and health standards for respiratory protection in hospitals. Data from Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspections that occurred in hospitals and resulted in violations of the respiratory protection standards were examined. From July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1995, the complaint rates for hazards in the workplace significantly increased. During 1990-1991, tuberculosis hazard complaint inspections rates were approximately 5 complaints per 1000 complaint inspections conducted. During 1994-1995, tuberculosis hazard complaint inspections rates were approximately 76 complaints per 1000 complaint inspections conducted, representing an increase of over 15 times. During this same period, the percentage of respiratory protection violations in relation to all violations doubled. Increased employee awareness of the hazards and current safety laws could have contributed to the increased frequency of employee complaints, leading to increases in inspections, violations, and fines. Employers must adhere to the current safety and health requirements specifically as they pertain to respiratory hazards and tuberculosis.

An examination of occupational fatalities involving impact-related head injuries in the construction industry.

Head injuries are the reason for which workers' compensation claims are most frequently filed and have the highest average cost per claim. The purpose of this study was to identify the construction industry trades with the greatest risk for an occupational fatality due to impact-related head injuries. Proportionate mortality ratios identified the highway and streets construction trades as having over three times the expected number of fatalities (P < 0.01) due to impact-related head injuries than expected, while the heavy construction trades had over two times the expected number of fatalities (P < 0.01) due to impact-related head injuries. The majority of these fatalities were the result of vehicle incidents and the worker's being struck by various forms of equipment that were in the process of being moved. Prevention strategies should be focused on vehicle safety, driver education, safe material handling, and the use of hard hats.

Occupational fatalities caused by contact with overhead power lines in the construction industry.

Fatality inspection records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were examined to determine which construction industry trades have significantly greater proportions of occupational fatalities resulting from contact with overhead power lines than are expected. Proportionate mortality ratios were calculated for each construction industry trade, and Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared tests were performed to determine significance. The heavy construction, highway and streets construction, painting and roofing trades had significantly greater proportions of fatalities resulting from contact with overhead power lines (P < 0.05). The heavy construction industry experienced the greatest number of fatalities among the four trades. Employee training and education in the identification and elimination of overhead power line hazards should be emphasized in the construction industry. Accident prevention should also include maintaining minimum clearances to the lines and the proper use of equipment.

Predicting accidents at work with measures of locus of control and job hazards.

This study was conducted to assess the predictive ability of measures of locus of control and job hazards in involvement in accidents in the workplace. The locus of control scale consisted of 24 items while the job hazards were a measure of the probability of no involvement in an accident. A logistic regression model was 89% accurate in classifying subjects by involvement in an accident as measured by workers' compensation claims.