The prevalence of work-related deaths associated with alcohol and drugs in Victoria, Australia, 2001-6.
To describe the presence of alcohol, cannabis and amphetamines in work-related injury deaths in Victoria, 2001-6, an observational study of work-related deaths reported to the State Coroner's Office, Victoria, Australia was conducted. Case and postmortem forensic toxicology data were obtained from the National Coroner's Information System for work-related injury deaths with positive toxicology screens. Over 6&emsp14;years there were 43 worker deaths in a total of 355 unintentional work-related injury deaths. The coroner mentioned the presence of alcohol/drugs in 22 of the 43 worker deaths with positive toxicology screens. Toxicology screens were positive for alcohol and/or drugs in 79 work-related deaths overall. Overall, alcohol was present in 26 (7%) work-related deaths and cannabis or amphetamines in 20 (6%). Incidents were mainly transport related. Alcohol and/or drugs were present in a significant portion of work-related deaths. Research is needed to determine the relative contribution of alcohol and drugs compared with other contributing factors to work-related deaths.
McNeilly
Briohny
B
Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Ibrahim
Joseph Elias
JE
Bugeja
Lyndal
L
Ozanne-Smith
Joan
J
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology