TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Circumstances of fatal lockout/tagout-related injuries in manufacturing
JO  - American journal of industrial medicine
A1  - Bulzacchelli, Maria T.
A1  - Vernick, Jon S.
A1  - Sorock, Gary S.
A1  - Webster, Daniel W.
A1  - Lees, P. S.
SP  - 728 
EP  -  734
VL  - 51
IS  - 10
N2  - BACKGROUND: Over the past few decades, hundreds of manufacturing workers have suffered fatal injuries while performing maintenance and servicing on machinery and equipment. Using lockout/tagout procedures could have prevented many of these deaths. METHODS: A narrative text analysis of OSHA accident investigation report summaries was conducted to describe the circumstances of lockout/tagout-related fatalities occurring in the US manufacturing industry from 1984 to 1997. RESULTS: The most common mechanisms of injury were being caught in or between parts of equipment, electrocution, and being struck by or against objects. Typical scenarios included cleaning a mixer or blender, cleaning a conveyor, and installing or disassembling electrical equipment. Lockout procedures were not even attempted in the majority (at least 58.8%) of fatal incidents reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Lockout/tagout-related fatalities occur under a wide range of circumstances. Enhanced training and equipment designs that facilitate lockout and minimize worker contact with machine parts may prevent many lockout/tagout-related injuries.  Language: en
LA  - 
SN  - 0271-3586
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20630
ID  - ref1
ER  -