The role of design issues in work-related fatal injury in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to provide an assessment of the contribution of design to the occurrence of fatal work-related injuries in Australia.


METHODS
The Australian National Coroners' Information System was the data source for fatal injuries. Deaths resulting from workplace injuries on or between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2002 were included.


RESULTS
Seventy seven (37%) of the 210 identified workplace fatalities definitely or probably had design-related issues involved. In another 29 (14%), the circumstances were suggestive that design issues were involved. The most common scenarios involved problems with rollover protective structures and/or associated seat belts; inadequate guarding; lack of residual current devices; inadequate fall protection; failed hydraulic lifting systems in vehicles and mobile equipment; and inadequate protection mechanisms on mobile plant and vehicles.


CONCLUSIONS
Design is a significant contributor to work-related fatal injury in Australia. There is considerable scope for preventing serious work-related injury through improving design of plant, equipment, and vehicles used for work-related purposes.
Driscoll
Timothy R
TR
School of Public Health, University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. timd@health.usyd.edu.au
Harrison
James E
JE
Bradley
Clare
C
Newson
Rachel S
RS
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*