Worker Deaths: A Regional Autopsy Study

Abstract

Objective:According to the International Labor Organization, 153 workers are injured and one worker dies because of occupational accidents or diseases every 15 seconds. Every day, 6,300 people die due to occupational accidents or work-related diseases in the world.Methods:Forensic investigation documents and autopsy reports of patients who were autopsied between 2011 and 2015 at the Forensic Medicine Department of Morgue Specialization in Trabzon Group Presidency and whose causes of death were related to occupational accidents were examined retrospectively.Results:It was determined that 111 (99.1%) were male and 1 (0.9%) were female from a total of 112 worker deaths. Their ages ranged between 18 and 64 years. When the distribution of cases by business types was analyzed, it was determined that 61 (54.5%) cases worked in the construction sector and 12 (10.7%) in the energy sector. It was determined that work accidents occurred due to falling from height in 34 (30.4%) cases and electric shock in 19 (17%) cases. There were skull bone fractures in 44 (39.3%) cases and rib cage fractures in 22 (19.6%) cases during autopsies. In histopathological examinations, there were cardiovascular pathologies in 13 (11.6%) cases, edema and bleeding in the lungs in 20 (17.9%) cases.Conclusion:According to the results of this study, construction sector took place on the top, which is consistent with the national work accident statistics. As a cause of death, general body traumas due to falling from high, electric shocks and work machine accidents come to the fore.

Keywords

• occupational accident
• worker death
• autopsy