Abstract
A review of 4756 deaths investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1984-6 found 233 deaths from asphyxiation and poisoning, excluding asphyxiations from trench cave-ins. The highest rates were in the oil and gas industry and in utilities. Toxic gases were the largest group (65) followed by simple asphyxiants (48), mechanical causes (42), and solvents (35). Deaths from solvents were significantly more likely in young workers. Nine deaths were caused by improper air supply to respirators and five by recreational inhalation of gas or vapours. Of the 146 deaths in confined spaces, only 12% were in rescuers, fewer than previously reported.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Adelson L., Sunshine I. Fatal hydrogen sulfide intoxication. Report of three cases occurring in a sewer. Arch Pathol. 1966 May;81(5):375–380. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bakinson M. A., Jones R. D. Gassings due to methylene chloride, xylene, toluene, and styrene reported to Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate 1961-80. Br J Ind Med. 1985 Mar;42(3):184–190. doi: 10.1136/oem.42.3.184. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bracken W. M., Cuppage F., McLaury R. L., Kirwin C., Klaassen C. D. Comparative effectiveness of topical treatments for hydrofluoric acid burns. J Occup Med. 1985 Oct;27(10):733–739. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Burnett W. W., King E. G., Grace M., Hall W. F. Hydrogen sulfide poisoning: review of 5 years' experience. Can Med Assoc J. 1977 Dec 3;117(11):1277–1280. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Chan K. M., Svancarek W. P., Creer M. Fatality due to acute hydrofluoric acid exposure. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1987;25(4):333–339. doi: 10.3109/15563658708992636. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McCarthy T. B., Jones R. D. Industrial gassing poisonings due to trichlorethylene, perchlorethylene, and 1-1-1 trichloroethane, 1961-80. Br J Ind Med. 1983 Nov;40(4):450–455. doi: 10.1136/oem.40.4.450. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Suruda A., Smith G., Baker S. P. Deaths from trench cave-in in the construction industry. J Occup Med. 1988 Jul;30(7):552–555. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]