| Abstract |
The Oklahoma State Department of Health, Injury Prevention Service (IPS) conducted a project to identify risk factors for workers at highest risk of fatal or severe injuries in order to develop strategies for injury prevention. The project included collection of statewide population-based occupational fatality surveillance data, on-site investigations of specific work-related deaths, data analysis, preparation of reports on work-related deaths, and making prevention recommendations. In Oklahoma, approximately 100 occupational injury deaths are reported annually. Transportation incidents account for the highest number of deaths; a high rate of agriculture-related deaths also occur. Men accounted for 93% of work-related deaths in 1998-2006. Injuries occurred most commonly among workers 35-54 years of age. Site visits were conducted and in-depth reports of investigation were prepared for targeted occupational fatalities. Occupational fatalities targeted for this project included youth (<18 years) fatalities, machinery-related fatalities and immigrant fatalities. The reports included a summary of the incident, information from the investigation, recommendations for prevention, and references. The impact of the reports was evaluated with report-specific feedback surveys. Evaluation surveys obtained information on the overall impression of the report, report length, technical level of writing, if the report would influence their work practices, and how they would utilize the information in the report. Response rates were as high as 48%. Feedback obtained was used to improve the quality of future reports of investigation. In addition to the groups of workers studied in the in-depth reports of investigation, additional subgroups of work-related deaths were examined. Detailed data collected in the comprehensive, multi-source, statewide occupational fatality surveillance system were analyzed and reports were prepared on work-related homicides: jump-start/bypass-start-related fatalities, work-related deaths among young workers under 25 years of age, and highway work zone-related deaths. |
