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Toxicology testing in fatally injured workers: a review of five years of Iowa FACE Program cases.
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2011/10/18
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[PDF-63.85 KB]
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Description:Objectives: An estimated 4,300 fatal workplace related injuries occurred in the United States in 2009. The state of Iowa alone experiences an average of 80 cases of occupational fatalities annually. While much is known about the risk factors for occupational injury, little is known about the prevalence of substance use surrounding these fatal events. To address this gap, we examined the prevalence of positive toxicology testing in fatal occupational injuries occurring in the state of Iowa. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the Fatality Assessment Control and Evaluation (FACE) reports of workplace related fatalities in Iowa from 2005 to 2009. Reviewed documents included medical examiner reports, autopsy and pathology reports, police and department of transportation reports, and toxicology laboratory reports. In Iowa, workplace fatalities require a medical examiner's examination, frequently including toxicology analysis. Positive tests were determined to be those that detected any substance on either a Drugs of Abuse screen or Comprehensive Drug Panel. Exclusions included cases with caffeine only or with incomplete/missing records. Results: A total of 429 cases were examined from 2005 to 2009. Of these, 42 cases were excluded due to incomplete or missing records. Of the remaining 387 cases, 77 or 19.9% were found to have positive toxicology testing. Commonly identified drug classes included Cannabinoids (19 cases), Alcohols (15 cases), Amphetamines (8 cases), among others. Further analysis will include descriptive statistics and models predicting which occupations and industries have the highest prevalence of positively tested drugs involved in traumatic deaths. Conclusions: A substantial portion of fatally injured workers in the state of Iowa were found to be positive on toxicology testing. These results highlight the significant role that substance use plays as a potential contributor to fatal occupational injuries. These results identify an area in need of further research efforts and a potential target for injury prevention strategies.
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Pages in Document:159
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NIOSHTIC Number:nn:20052847
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Citation:NOIRS 2011-Abstracts of the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, October 18-20, 2011, Morgantown, West Virginia. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NOIRS 2011-Abstracts, 2011 Oct; :159
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Federal Fiscal Year:2012
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Performing Organization:University of Iowa, Iowa City
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Start Date:20010930
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Source Full Name:NOIRS 2011-Abstracts of the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, October 18-20, 2011, Morgantown, West Virginia
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End Date:20270929
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