Fatal occupational electrical injuries in Virginia
Article Abstract:
Unintentional injuries, many of which occur in the workplace, are listed as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In Virginia, occupationally related electrical deaths ranked second among occupational deaths in 1983 and 1984. These fatalities often involve contact with power lines by utility workers, machine and tool usage, or they occur among construction and mining workers. To understand the causes of these workplace injuries and to suggest preventive strategies, all electric shock and lightning injuries and fatalities records were extracted from Virginia Workers' Compensation records for the period 1977 through 1985. Blood alcohol levels were obtained from medical examiner records when available. Only data pertinent to Virginia residents were analyzed and included. Most fatalities occured in males between 20 and 29 years old, working primarily in the utilities or the mining, agricultural and construction industries. Most events occurred during the summer months. Alcohol consumption was not listed as a contributory factor in most of these cases. Primary prevention efforts should be increased by means of the media and mailed messages, both at home and at the worksite. Active efforts are necessary to reduce electrical fatalities. These could include power line identification by streamers, sleeving insulations in areas adjacent to power lines, and team working with a lookout to warn of proximity to dangerous areas. Other alternatives are offered. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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A hierarchical coding system for occupational exposure
Article Abstract:
There are many chemicals that have the potential for causing cancer (carcinogenic agents). Many of these chemicals can be found in the workplace, and occupational exposure is not uncommon. Specific classification systems are needed to help identify specific chemicals or classes of chemicals that may be carcinogenic. Several chemical coding or classification systems exist and include the occupation-exposure linkage codes, the exposure check-list codes, the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers, and the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety hazard codes. Because of the limitations of these systems, a new hierarchical coding system was developed. This system provides a means for classifying chemicals based on their physical and chemical nature. Such a system will enable industries to identify and catalog chemicals that are dangerous, and will aid in the monitoring of health hazards in the workplace. In the hierarchical system, each chemical is given a 10-digit code that is used to identify the structure of a chemical and its chemical and physical properties. The advantage of the hierarchical system over the other existing systems is its ability to distinguish between chemicals that have similar structures, but different potentials for causing cancer. This system, along with other coding systems, has limitations. However, the 10-digit hierarchical coding system provides a means for identifying hazardous chemicals encountered in the workplace. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
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