Fatal Facts describe cases that are representative of employers who failed to identify and correct hazardous working conditions leading to fatalities at their worksites. The documents offer ideas on how to correct these hazards and educate workers about safe work practices.
Agriculture
No. 6-2013 - Cotton Press - Struck/crushed by [572 KB PDF, 2 pages]
No. 11-2015 - Farmworker Electrocution [182 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Asphyxiation
No. 13 -2016 - Methylene Chloride [422 KB PDF, 3 pages]
No. 16 -2018 - Confined Space Entry on a Farm [196 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Confined Spaces
No. 12 -2015 - Asphyxiation in Sewer Line Manhole [218 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Construction
No. 7 -2014 - Fall [492 KB PDF, 2 pages]
No. 8 -2014 - Material Hoist Collapse [515 KB PDF, 2 pages]
No. 9 -2015 - Parking Garage Collapse [266 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Engulfment
No. 10-2015 - Sugar Hopper [194 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Logging
No. 14-2016 - Crushed by Carriage during Skyline-Skidding Operation [348 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Oil and Gas
No. 1-2012 - Vehicle, highway incident [205 KB PDF, 1 page]
No. 2-2012 - Struck by, falling object, suspended load incident [407 KB PDF, 2 pages]
No. 3-2012 - Struck by, falling object, suspended load incident [335 KB PDF, 2 pages]
No. 4-2012 - Fall from derrick [272 KB PDF, 1 page]
No. 5-2012 - Flash fire from crude oil vapors [327 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Warehouse
No. 15-2017 - Warehouse Fall from Pallet Elevated by Forklift [649 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Resources
OSHA standards and regulations:
www.osha.gov/laws-regs.html
OSHA publications:
www.osha.gov/publications
OSHA's free On-site Consultation services for small businesses:
www.osha.gov/consultation
Training resources:
www.osha.gov/dte/index.html
Compliance Assistance services:
www.osha.gov/complianceassistance
You Have a Voice in the Workplace
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 affords workers the right to a safe workplace (view OSHA's Workers' Rights page). Workers also have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if they believe that there are either violations of OSHA standards or serious workplace hazards.
How Can OSHA Help?
Workers have a right to a safe workplace. If you think your job is unsafe or have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). It's confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.
OSHA also provides help to employers. OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. For more information or for additional compliance assistance, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
Fatal Facts are not an OSHA standard or regulation and they create no new legal obligations. The recommendations contained herein are advisory in nature and are intended to assist employers in providing safe and healthful workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to comply with safety and health standards promulgated by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved State Plan. The requirements of OSHA-approved state plans can be reviewed by selecting the state’s website at: www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html. The OSH Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide employees with workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.