Analysis of Selected Scaffold-Related Fatal Falls

Abstract

Data collected by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research contain information on work-related deaths in the U.S. from 1980 through 1985. During this six-year period, a total of 3,491 fatal workplace falls occurred. Of this total, 2,705 (77.5%) were classified as falls from elevations, where 461 (17.0%) were falls from scaffolds. During the period October 1988 to February 1990, 50 fall-related deaths were investigated by NIOSH. Ten (20%) were falls from scaffolding. Descriptive information on both the victims and employers is discussed, along with recommendations for improving workplace safety through known intervention techniques.