Aerial lift fall injuries: a surveillance and evaluation approach for targeting prevention activities.
OBJECTIVE
Work on aerial lift platforms exposes workers to fall hazards. The objective of this study was to identify the most common injury scenarios and determine current research gaps for addressing fall incidents associated with aerial lifts.


METHODS
Three databases were searched: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) reports, and OSHA Incident Investigation Records.


RESULTS
The majority of falls/collapses/tipovers were within the height-category of 10-29 feet. Tipovers comprised 44-46% of boom-lift falls and 56-59% of scissor-lift falls. Constructing and repairing activities were most commonly associated with fall/collapse/tipover incidents.


CONCLUSIONS
CFOI and OSHA/FACE show convergent data, suggesting similar scenarios for aerial lift tipovers.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis provides the aerial lift industry information to prioritize their efforts on aerial lift design.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States. cpan@cdc.gov
Christopher S
CS
Pan
Alan
A
Hoskin
Michael
M
McCann
Mei-Li
ML
Lin
Kevin
K
Fearn
Paul
P
Keane
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*