A construction worker died after he was buried by dirt when a trench collapsed at the Portola Center construction site in Lake Forest, California

  Orange County Fire Authority crews were searching Wednesday for the body of a construction worker believed to have been buried during a trench collapse at a Lake Forest construction site. (Courtesy of the Orange County Fire Authority)
Worker’s body found after trench collapse at construction site in Lake Forest



By Jonathan Winslow | jwinslow@scng.com | Orange County Register
 May 9, 2018

LAKE FOREST, CA

After several hours of digging, Orange County Fire Authority firefighters recovered the body of a worker who was buried in a construction site accident in Lake Forest on Wednesday, authorities said.

The worker was believed to have been buried at a construction site at the intersection of Glenn Ranch Road and Viejo Ridge when a trench on the site collapsed at 3 p.m., said OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz. Backhoes were digging in the area when the ground caved in, he said.

At 5:30 p.m., OCFA crews and other assisting agencies were using heavy equipment to carefully clear and stabilize the trench, after which teams would move in and begin clearing the dirt by hand.


At 9:09 p.m., the body of a male construction worker was recovered from the dirt by crews, Kurtz said. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health of California have launched an investigation in to what caused the trench to cave in, he said.

The worker’s name was not immediately released.


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A worker died Wednesday after a trench about 17 feet deep collapsed at a Lake Forest construction site, burying his body underneath dirt, authorities said.

Construction crews handling the grading for a tract home project were using an excavator to dig when a side of the trench gave way, said Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.

It's unclear if the worker, who was not identified, fell inside or was acting as a spotter in the trench, Kurtz said. Two or three dozen people were on-site working for a company called Empire Grading.

Fire officials were called to the development, near Viejo Ridge Drive and Glenn Ranch Road, about 3 p.m. They used powerful vacuum trucks and buckets to carefully remove the dirt around the body during the recovery, Kurtz said.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Orange County Sheriff's Department were investigating the circumstances of the accident, he said.

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A construction worker is believed by Orange County fire officials to be dead after he was buried by dirt when a trench collapsed at a construction site in Lake Forest Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Firefighters have been working to recover the man's body at the site near Glenn Ranch Road and Viejo Ridge Drive. The incident happened at around 3 p.m.


Authorities respond to a construction site in Lake Forest where a worker was believed trapped in a collapsed trench on May 9, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)

At about 5 p.m., fire officials said they would be removing dirt from the trench "for several hours" as part of recovery efforts.

The trench is about 15 feet deep and 17 feet wide, officials said. Sky5 footage of the scene showed some splatters of blood inside the trench.

"To do this, they have to be safe," O.C. Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said of the firefighters trying to find the man's body.

Since the trench could collapse further, firefighters have to secure its edges with planks of wood "so they don't fall into the trench," Kurtz said.

A construction worker on scene told KTLA the man apparently killed was also a worker and good friend of his.

The incident occurred at the apparent site of a planned massive residential development called the Portola Center. The 195-acre project includes 930 homes, according to the city of Lake Forest's website.

No further information has been released by authorities.


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Portola Center

On November 5, 2013, the City Council approved the development of Portola Center, located at the intersection of Saddleback Ranch Road and Glenn Ranch Road. Surrounded by natural beauty and designed to complement the existing Portola Hills community, initial grading for the Portola Center development began in Summer 2015. Glenn Ranch Road and Saddleback Ranch Road divide the project site into three different Planning Areas, named the Northwest, Northeast, and South Planning Areas. Questions regarding the Northwest and Northeast areas can be directed to Nick Lee, Vice President, at nlee@baldwinsons.com, or by phone at (619) 985-6425). The South Planning area will be developed by Landsea and questions for this site can be directed to Brian Frame at (949) 345-8095.

 
The 195-acre Portola Center site will include: 

• 930 homes, including, 613 single-family homes and 317 multi-family units.
•  10,000 square feet of commercial area.
•  A 5-acre public park with playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields.
• New trails with exercise stations.
•  Three private neighborhood parks totaling more than ten acres, including one with a recreation center and swimming pool.
• 44-plus acres of open space, including a 1.5 mile Perimeter Trail available to the public and adjacent private perimeter park with trail connections to Whiting Ranch Regional Park.

Landscaping

In an effort to conserve and reuse water resources, California-friendly trees and plants that require minimal maintenance and thrive in low water conditions will be planted throughout Portola Center. Sycamore, Mesquite, Western Redbud, Coast Live Oak trees, as well as shrubs such as Spreading Acacia, Dwarf Coyote Brush, Penstemon, and Rock Rose will be planted on project slopes and common areas such as parks and trails. Furthermore, the project complies with the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to limit water usage, as well as irrigates with reclaimed water to conserve and reuse water resources whenever possible.

American Economy Ins. Co. v. CHL, LLC: insurer does not have to pay, because the building did not suffer a “collapse” as required for coverage

The Ninth Circuit on Wednesday refused to revive a Seattle apartment complex owner’s bid to force its insurer to cover repair costs, saying a lower court properly applied Washington Supreme Court precedent in ruling that the building did not suffer a “collapse” as required for coverage.

In a brief decision, a panel of the federal appellate court said Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez properly ruled in July 2016 that American Economy Insurance Co. had no obligation to cover CHL LLC's costs to fix damage to an apartment complex in Seattle.

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In American Economy Ins. Co. v. CHL, LLC, an insured owned an apartment complex in Seattle. The insurer issued commercial property insurance for the building from 1999 to 2005. The policy provided coverage for losses caused by a “collapse.” The policies from 1999 to 2002 did not define “collapse.” However, the policies from 2002 to 2005 defined the term to mean “actual falling down of the building or part of the building.”

In 2014, while renovation work was being performed at the apartment complex, decay of the building’s rim joists was discovered. The insured began repairing the joists. The building remained occupied while the repairs were being made. The insured then submitted a claim to the insurer for damage to the building. The insurer denied the claim.

At issue was whether there was coverage for a “collapse” under the policies in effect from 1999 to 2002. The insurer asserted that the policies from all policy periods, even those that did not include a definition, required that the building actually fall down for there to be coverage for a “collapse.”

In examining the dispute, the court noted there was jurisdictional split on the definition of the term “collapse” as used in property insurance policies. While some states define “collapse” by requiring that all or part of a building actually fall down, other states have found that the actual falling down of a building is not necessary. In such instances, these states may require that the falling down of all or part of a building be imminent. Meanwhile, other states have a broader view and only require that the insured show that the building had a “substantial impairment of structural integrity.”

In reaching its conclusion, the court relied on Queen Anne Park Homeowners Assoc. v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Ins. Co. In that case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals certified a question to the Washington Supreme Court on how to define “collapse.”

In Queen Anne Park, the Washington Supreme Court held that “collapse” meant “substantial impairment of the structural integrity of all or part of a building that renders all or part of the building unfit for its function or unsafe and, in this case, means more than mere settling, cracking, shrinkage, bulging, or expansion.”

Under this definition, the CHL court found that the apartment complex at issue was not severely impaired enough such that the complex was unable to remain upright. The court reasoned that “[t]he building remained standing without renovation until 2014.”

Moreover, even as the decayed joists were being repaired, tenants still occupied the complex without any shoring put in place. Given this factual background, the court ruled that the insurer was entitled to judgment as a matter of law that the 1999 to 2002 policies did not provide the insured coverage for a “collapse.”

This opinion is instructive to the extent it demonstrates how a particular jurisdiction can impact the interpretation of the language in a first party property policy. For example, as discussed by the CHL court, three different courts have arrived at three different definitions of the term “collapse” when the policy itself is silent on the definition.

A carnival worker from Belarus died after falling 30-feet from the "ring of fire" ride at the Kiwanis Fair he was trying to repair in Alexander City, Alabama

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Alexander City police are investigating the death of a carnival worker after he died falling from a ride he was trying to fix.

The call came into police around 5:15 Wednesday evening. Police say the worker was a vendor of the “ring of fire” ride. He climbed up on the ride to correct an issue he observed.

The worker was advised to come down by the ride operator. That’s when the worker fell approximately 30 feet. The worker was transported to Russell Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The incident is still under investigation, and authorities will not release the name of the victim until family is notified.



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TRAGEDY AT THE FAIR: Worker dies in fall at fair Wednesday
 
By Mitch Sneed

Published 6:38 pm Wednesday, April 25, 2018


An amusement company employee died Wednesday after falling off the Ring of Fire at the Kiwanis Fair at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, according to Tallapoosa County Coroner Mike Knox.  

The name of the male victim had not been released as of 7 p.m. The accident occurred just before 5 p.m., just as the fair was preparing to open for the evening.

“A male ride operator from Belarus was operating a ride nearby and the operator of the Ring of Fire said that he thought he saw a wheel that looked funny,” Knox said. “This man said he would check it and climbed up, even though he wasn’t the one who usually did that. When the man who normally handles the maintenance came – he said for him to get down and he would check. When he started down, he lost his grip and fell to the ground.” 

Scanner reports said that the victim was bleeding heavily as a result of the fall, but the investigation remained active and while Knox didn’t speculate on the cause of death, he said the man obviously suffered head trauma.

Knox said the 45-year old man, who had been in the business for “20 years or more,” was pronounced dead at the Russell Medical.

Because of the distance between the man and his family, a name was not released until notification of his next of kin could be made.

There were already people on the grounds and the accident was witnessed by several people. Witnesses said that screams could be heard and children were crying and being comforted by their parents.

The ride remained shut down, but the rest of the attractions were open Wednesday evening and the midway was crowded with fairgoers.

More details will be released as they become available.

Construction worker William M. Brown Jr., 35, with Finch Constructors and Pepper Construction was crushed to death after a large piece of limestone from the exterior limestone walls hit him in the chest at Swain Hall West on Indiana University's Bloomington campus.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Monroe County Coroner released the identity Thursday of a construction worker who was killed in an accident on Indiana University's Bloomington campus.

Indiana University officials say a crew was working on a renovation project at Swain Hall on Wednesday when a construction worker was killed. No other injuries were reported as part of the accident.

The man was part of a private contracting company hired by the university to do renovation work on the building.

He has been identified as William M. Brown Jr., 35, of Bloomington. The coroner says Brown died of blunt force trauma to the chest.

She says Brown was part of a crew that was moving a very large piece of limestone that was to be used as a header above an entryway when the accident occurred.



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Construction Worker Dies On IU Campus
Updated April 26, 2018 7:19 AM

(BLOOMINGTON, IN) - A construction worker was killed after a large piece of limestone being installed above a doorway fell and killed him while working at Swain Hall West on Indiana University's campus on Wednesday afternoon.

Monroe County Coroner Joani Shields says 35-year-old William M. Brown Jr. of Bloomington was working with other crew members using equipment to lift a 6 foot long piece of limestone above an interior doorway on the north side of the building when it fell striking Brown in the head and chest.

Fellow construction workers began CPR and dialed 911 at 2:52 p.m.

An autopsy is been this morning in Terre Haute.



Finch Constructors and Pepper Construction has been working on the $36 million renovation, which includes building a new entryway, upgrading heating, cooling and other mechanical systems and cleaning and tuckpointing the exterior limestone walls.


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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Authorities say a construction worker died when a large chunk of limestone fell onto his head and chest at Indiana University's Bloomington campus.

Monroe County coroner Joani Shields says 35-year-old William M. Brown Jr., of Bloomington, was killed Wednesday afternoon at Swain Hall West. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Brown was an employee for a contractor hired by the university for a $36 million renovation of the building. He was helping to install a limestone header above an interior second-floor doorway when the block fell as it was being lofted it into place.

Sgt. Brandon Hudson of the Bloomington Fire Department tells The Herald-Times that the stone was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and that it struck Brown in the head and chest.

Indiana University sent the following statement regarding the incident:

“An workplace accident this afternoon has resulted in the death of a worker for the contractor on the renovation of Swain Hall, located on 3rd street. The accident killed an adult male in an isolated part of Swain Hall at around 2:50 p.m. There were no other injuries.

"We offer our sympathy to the victim’s family, friends, and co-workers on the project.”


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No work on Swain Hall project Thursday after man's death

By Michael Reschke 812-331-4370 | mreschke@heraldt.com
April 27, 2018

 
Swain Hall West was the site of a fatal construction accident Wednesday on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. Jeremy Hogan | Herald-Times


Work on a $36 million renovation project at Indiana University was canceled for Thursday following the death of a Bloomington man at the construction site Wednesday afternoon.

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting an investigation into the fatal incident, said Chuck Carney, IU spokesman. He did not know Thursday when work on Swain Hall, located 727 E. Third St., would resume.


William M. Brown Jr., 35, was hit in the head and chest with a piece of limestone estimated to be about 6 feet long.


A preliminary autopsy conducted Thursday identified blunt force trauma to the chest as the cause of death. Results of a toxicology report are expected in about three weeks, said Joani Shields, Monroe County coroner.

A crew working on the building's second floor called 911 at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday. Workers had been using equipment to lift and place a piece of limestone above an interior doorway when the rock fell, preliminary reports said.


Carney said Brown was not an IU employee, but he was unsure about what company employed Brown. IU contracted with Pepper Construction for the project, but Brown may have worked for a subcontractor.

Work on the campus project included upgrades to mechanical systems, such as heating, ventilation and cooling. The most visible change involved tearing down a windowless concrete tower and creating a new entryway that matches the surrounding architecture.

Swain Hall has been expanded multiple times since it was first built in 1910. The original building is now referred to as Swain Hall East. Swain Hall West was built in 1938.A southern addition, which included the windowless tower, was built in 1972. The tower was supposed to one day become part of a walkway over Third Street. At the time, university leaders thought the campus would expand south, but that never happened.
 
The heights of floors in Swain Hall East and West did not match. Renovation plans called for an elevator to be built at the back of an atrium attached to the new entryway. The elevator, with doors on two sides, would provide access to all floors within the building.

The project was broken up into three phases, with work starting on the southwestern portion of the building shortly after people started moving out of that area in August 2016. Parts of the building were still in use during the renovation project. Earlier this month, university officials expected the project to be substantially completed in May.

No classes in Swain Hall have been canceled because of the incident, Carney said.



================




Swain West






Campus:
IU Bloomington

Completion Date
August 1, 2014

Project Type:
Renovation

Primary Use:
Academic

Architect:
arcDESIGN

Team Leader:
Payne
Project Budget
Internal funding: $1200000
Total budget: $1200000

Project Description

Indiana University proposes to proceed with the renovation of approximately 3,102 gross square feet (gsf) of lecture space and associated entries within Rooms 119 and 120 of Swain Hall West on the IU Bloomington campus.

=============================








The Swain Hall East and West complex renovation offers a new environment for students and faculty while remaining true to the historic Bloomington campus.

The facility houses physics and autonomy departments and will provide a distinguishable main entrance to the building while connecting the building to the campus and the University’s iconic 20-acre Dunns Woods. Due to multiple past additions, students, faculty and visitors have not been utilizing the building as much as the University would like. The most recent 1972 addition left the building without an identifiable “front door” and greatly obscures and diminishes the surrounding historic buildings on site.



BSA LifeStructures’ renovation plan entails multiple phases allowing the facility to remain in operation while under construction. The proposed solution will trim the structure so that historic buildings are revealed. An easily identifiable main entrance will also be added; leading guests into internal commons and building center. The exterior walls, windows and roof will also undergo restoration or replacement all while retaining the existing historical character of the building.

Commercial fishermen experience fatalities at a rate much higher than that of all U.S. workers, partially driven by falls overboard, a leading cause of work-related deaths in the industry.

Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Samantha Case, MPH



April 28th is Workers’ Memorial Day where we remember those who have lost their lives while trying to make a living. The current issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) includes workplace fatality, injury and illness data; a QuickStats which demonstrates differences among employment categories in influenza vaccination; and the article summarized in this blog, “Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing — United States, 2000–2016.” Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, with a work-related fatality rate 23 times higher than for all workers in 2016 1. Falling from a fishing vessel is a serious hazard responsible for the second highest number of fatalities in the industry after vessel sinking events 2, 3. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed data on unintentional fatal falls overboard in the US commercial fishing industry to identify gaps in the use of prevention strategies. NIOSH researchers examined each fall overboard to determine the circumstances of the fall, including worker activity, primary cause, and contributing factors. Recovery attempts were also considered, noting any use of survival or rescue equipment and administration of medical treatment.
Results

During 2000-2016, 204 commercial fishermen died from unintentionally falling overboard. The study found that fatalities occurred most frequently on the East Coast (30%), followed by the Gulf of Mexico (29%), Alaska (25%), and the West Coast (13%). The remaining five deaths occurred off Hawaii. The type of fishing operations with the highest number of fall overboard deaths were: Gulf of Mexico shrimp (34), East Coast lobster (18), Alaska salmon drift gillnet (16), and East Coast scallop (10).

Many falls occurred while crewmembers were working on deck with fishing gear, including 35 falls while setting gear and 20 falls while hauling gear onboard. Thirty-four falls also occurred while crewmembers were on deck while off duty. The leading causes of falls were losing balance (32%), tripping or slipping (32%), and becoming entangled in gear (21%). The most commonly identified contributing factors included working alone (49%), alcohol and/or drug involvement (18%), and inclement weather (12%).

None of the victims wore a personal flotation device (PFD) when they died. A life ring was used in 19 events but most often did not result in a successful recovery of the person in the water. A man-overboard alarm was only reportedly used in one event. The majority of falls were not witnessed, and most of these fishermen were not found in the ensuing search. Of the 30 total crewmembers who were recovered from the water within an hour, CPR was attempted on 21 to no avail.
Prevention and Next Steps

Preventing falls overboard is a priority area in fishing safety. A variety of strategies can be implemented to prevent crewmembers from falling from a vessel, including: creating enclosed workspaces; raising the gunnels on the vessel; and using lifelines and tethers where possible. Because fishing operations differ, workers in some fisheries are more exposed to entanglement hazards than others, especially if they work with lines while setting gear. Engineering controls, such as line bins, can help control hazards by reducing the amount of line on deck. In addition, enforcing drug and alcohol-free policies on vessels might reduce the likelihood of crewmembers unintentionally falling overboard.

A striking finding from this study is that none of the victims were wearing a PFD when they died. Without flotation, victims can drown within minutes after immersion in cold water from cold-shock responses and limited swimming ability. Although regulations mandate commercial fishing vessels carry a PFD for each crewmember, there are no requirements for fishermen to wear them while working Many fishermen recognize the effectiveness of PFDs to prevent drownings, yet concerns regarding discomfort, cost, work interference, and potential for entanglement hinder widespread adoption throughout the industry . Comfortable and workable PFDs are available that can alleviate these concerns, and one manufacturer has even developed a flotation vest based on feedback from fishermen. See the NIOSH campaign “Live to be Salty” which encourages PFD usage.

The majority of fatal falls overboard in this study were not observed, likely resulting in search and rescue delays and reducing the chances of a successful recovery. A man-overboard alarm worn by a worker that relays to the remaining crewmembers or even nearby vessels that a fall overboard occurred, can enable prompt rescue efforts. Use of this technology has not been widely adopted by the fishing industry, despite its potential to save lives and be incorporated into work gear.

The difficulty of retrieving a person from the water was underscored in this study. Although rescue attempts were made within one hour for 69 victims, over half were unsuccessful. Effective recovery devices, such as lifting slings, can provide additional flotation and help hoist the person back onto the vessel. By participating in marine safety training and drills, crewmembers will be prepared to respond to a man overboard event. Fishermen who work alone face additional challenges and should have ladders and engine shutoff devices available to facilitate re-boarding.

Timely treatment of a fall overboard victim, including performing CPR, preventing further heat loss, and rewarming the victim, is a priority. None of the 30 crewmembers who were recovered back onboard within one hour were revived. Successful treatment might be more likely if professional medical assistance is obtained as soon as possible. However, this is a challenge for much of the fishing industry when operating in remote locations.

On average, the number of falls overboard decreased by 3.9% annually from 2000-2016. While this overall decline is encouraging, these events remain a leading contributor to commercial fishing deaths and are largely preventable. The implementation of prevention strategies by vessel owners as discussed above could likely continue this positive trend and enable these workers to stay safe while working at sea.

We would like to hear from you. Tell us how you have encouraged the use of PFDs on commercial fishing vessels.


Samantha Case, MPH, is an epidemiologist in the NIOSH Western States Division.

For More Information:

The NIOSH Commercial Fishing Safety Topic Page

Fishing Safety Success Story: My Life Vest Saved Me

A Story of Impact: PFD Manufacturer Adopts NIOSH Research into Product Development Process

Assessment of Safety in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Island Crab Fleet

Reducing Winch Entanglements with Auxiliary-stop Device

Reducing Winch Entanglements with Stationary Guarding

References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) – current and revised data. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2017. https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm.
Lincoln JM, Lucas DL. Occupational fatalities in the United States commercial fishing industry, 2000-2009. J Agromedicine. 2010 Oct;15(4):343-50.
Lucas DL, Case SL. Work-related mortality in the US fishing industry during 2000-2014: New findings based on improved workforce exposure estimates. Am J Ind Med. 2018 Jan;61(1):21-31. 

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Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing — United States, 2000–2016

Weekly / April 27, 2018 / 67(16);465–469

Summary

What is already known about this topic?
Commercial fishermen experience fatalities at a rate much higher than that of all U.S. workers, partially driven by falls overboard, a leading cause of work-related deaths in the industry.

What is added by this report?
During 2000–2016, 204 commercial fishermen died from unintentional falls overboard. Fifty-nine percent of falls were not witnessed, and 89.3% of these victims were not found. Among 83 witnessed falls, 22 victims were recovered but not resuscitated. None wore a personal flotation device (PFD).

What are the implications for public health practice?
Prevention strategies can be implemented to prevent future fatalities, including reducing fall hazards; using PFDs, man-overboard alarms, and recovery devices; and training crewmembers on resuscitation and treatment.

Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, with a 2016 work-related fatality rate (86.0 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers) 23 times higher than that for all U.S. workers (3.6) (1). Sinking vessels cause the most fatalities in the industry; however, falling from a fishing vessel is a serious hazard responsible for the second highest number of commercial fishing–associated fatalities (2,3). CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed data on unintentional fatal falls overboard in the U.S. commercial fishing industry to identify gaps in the use of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies. During 2000–2016, a total of 204 commercial fishermen died after unintentionally falling overboard. The majority of falls (121; 59.3%) were not witnessed, and 108 (89.3%) of these victims were not found. Among 83 witnessed falls overboard, 56 rescue attempts were made; 22 victims were recovered but were not successfully resuscitated. The circumstances, rescue attempts, and limited use of lifesaving and recovery equipment indicate that efforts to reduce these preventable fatalities are needed during pre-event, event, and post-event sequences of falls overboard. Vessel owners could consider strategies to prevent future fatalities, including lifeline tethers, line management, personal flotation devices (PFDs), man-overboard alarms, recovery devices, and rescue training.

A case of commercial fishing–associated overboard fall fatality was defined as a fatal traumatic injury resulting from an unintentional fall from a commercial fishing vessel in United States waters during 2000–2016. Fishermen often live on their vessels when working and are exposed to hazards while off duty; therefore, victims were considered to be at work for the entire time they were at sea. Cases were identified from NIOSH’s Commercial Fishing Incident Database, a national surveillance system that collects detailed information on all work-related fatalities in the fishing industry; data sources include U.S. Coast Guard investigative reports, local law enforcement reports, medical examiner documents, and news media. Records for each fall overboard were reviewed to determine the circumstances of the fall, including time in water, any use of survival or rescue equipment, recovery attempts, and administration of medical treatment. A descriptive analysis of event and decedent characteristics, including year, geographic region, fishery,* victim demographics, worker activity, primary cause of the fall, and contributing factors, was conducted. The trend in the number of fatal falls overboard over the course of the study period was evaluated using Poisson regression.

During 2000–2016, unintentional falls overboard resulted in 204 fatalities, representing 27.0% of all work-related deaths in the industry. Fall-overboard fatalities ranged from a high of 20 in 2003 to a low of five in 2016 (Figure 1). On average, the number of falls overboard decreased by 3.9% annually (incidence rate ratio = 0.961; p = 0.006).
Fatalities occurred most frequently on the East Coast (62; 30.4%), followed by the Gulf of Mexico (60; 29.4%), Alaska (51; 25.0%), and the West Coast (26; 12.8%). Five deaths occurred off the Hawaiian Coast. The Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery had the highest number of fall-overboard deaths (34; 16.7%), followed by East Coast lobster (18; 8.8%), Alaska salmon drift gillnet (16; 7.8%), and East Coast scallop (10; 4.9%).

Among 187 (91.7%) decedents with information available on age, the median age was 43 years (range = 16–77 years). Overall, 202 (99.0%) decedents were male (Table). The majority of victims were employed as deckhands (120; 58.8%), and among 94 (46.1%) with information on years of experience, victims had a median of 16 years of experience in the fishing industry (range = 0–65 years). Nine victims (4.4%) were confirmed to have taken formal marine safety training.

Among 152 (74.5%) fatalities for which information on victim activity preceding the fall was available, half (77; 50.7%) occurred while the victims were working with fishing gear, including setting gear (35; 23.0%), hauling gear onboard (20; 13.2%), and handling gear on deck (12; 7.9%). Falls also occurred while crewmembers were on deck while off duty (34; 22.4%). Among 149 (73.0%) cases where the cause of the fall was known, the leading causes were losing balance (48; 32.2%), tripping or slipping (47; 31.5%), and becoming entangled in gear (31; 20.8%). Of all 204 falls, the most commonly identified contributing factors included working alone (99; 48.5%), alcohol and drug use (37; 18.1%), and inclement weather (24; 11.8%).

The majority of falls (121; 59.3%) were unwitnessed, and most of these victims (108; 89.3%) were not located within an hour of the fall (Figure 2). For the 83 witnessed falls overboard, 56 (67.5%) rescue attempts were made, with 22 victims recovered but none successfully resuscitated.

In all instances, none of the victims was wearing a PFD at the time of death. Among 19 (9.3%) events in which use of a life ring^† was noted, recovery attempts failed in most cases (14; 73.7%). A man-overboard alarm was only reportedly used in one event. Among the 30 crewmembers who were recovered from the water within an hour, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted on 21 (70.0%), but none could be resuscitated.

Top

Discussion

Preventing falls overboard is a priority area in fishing safety (2–4). Primary prevention strategies include creating enclosed workspaces, raising the gunnels^§ on the vessel, and using lifelines and tethers where possible; vessel modifications should be conducted in consultation with a naval architect or engineer. Because of differences in fishing methods, workers in some fisheries are more exposed to entanglement hazards than are others, especially those who work with lines while setting gear (e.g., East Coast lobstermen). Engineering controls, such as line bins that catch excess line while hauling gear, can control hazards by reducing the amount of line on deck. In addition, enforcing drug- and alcohol-free policies on vessels might reduce the likelihood of crewmembers unintentionally falling from a vessel.

Without flotation, victims can drown within minutes after immersion in cold water through cold-shock responses, including hyperventilation and aspiration, as well as the deterioration of muscle function from lowered temperature, impeding swim efforts (5). Although federal regulations^¶ mandate that commercial fishing vessels carry a PFD for each crewmember, there are no requirements for fishermen to wear them while working.

 Lack of PFD use is associated with workers’ negative perceptions and attitudes toward PFDs. Many fishermen recognize the effectiveness of PFDs to prevent drownings, but concerns regarding discomfort, cost, work interference, and potential for entanglement hinder widespread adoption throughout the industry (6,7). In 2008, NIOSH conducted a study in which participants in several Alaskan fisheries wore and evaluated various PFD types. Although preferences differed by fishery, each identified favorable PFDs that were acceptable to work in (8). On the basis of this research, one manufacturer worked collaboratively with the fishing industry and developed an innovative PFD that was responsive to workers’ concerns (9). Additional PFD evaluations have been conducted in the Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, and New England. Attempts to increase PFD use should continue, particularly given the increased commercial availability of comfortable and workable PFDs.

The majority of fatal falls overboard in this study were not observed. An unwitnessed fall overboard results in search and rescue delays and reduces the chances of a successful recovery. A man-overboard alarm is a small device worn by a worker that, in the event of water immersion, relays a signal to a receiver on the vessel and sounds an alarm to enable prompt rescue efforts. Use of this technology has not been widely adopted by the fishing industry despite its potential to save lives and be incorporated into work gear.

Although rescue attempts were made within 1 hour for 69 victims, over half (39; 56.5%) were unable to be recovered from the water, underscoring the difficulty of retrieving an overboard fall victim. Effective recovery devices, such as lifting slings, can provide additional flotation and help hoist the victim onto the vessel. Participation in marine safety training and drills can prepare crewmembers in man-overboard response and recovery. For fishermen who work alone, a reboarding ladder should be available on the vessel for self-rescue. Some man-overboard alarms include engine shutoff features that would keep the vessel nearby to facilitate reboarding.

None of the 30 crewmembers who were recovered onboard within 1 hour could be resuscitated. Successful treatment might be more likely if professional medical assistance were possible, a challenge when operating in remote locations. Having first-aid trained crewmembers administer CPR, prevent further heat loss, and rewarm the victim is a priority (5).

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, the level of missing data varied among cases, and for at least one variable (years of experience), exceeded 50%. This circumstance might have introduced bias by underestimating certain fall or decedent characteristics when variables with missing data were analyzed. Second, denominator data were unavailable to enable calculation of fatality rates. A decreasing trend in the number of falls overboard was observed, but it is unclear if risk similarly declined. Finally, data were not available on nonfatal falls overboard. Comparison of fatal and nonfatal events might help identify factors associated with the successful rescue of crewmembers from the water.

Although the overall decline in the number of fatal falls overboard is encouraging, these largely preventable events remain a leading contributor to commercial fishing deaths. Implementation of prevention strategies discussed in this report by vessel owners could continue this positive trend and result in substantial safety improvements within the industry. Future research can include activities to understand barriers to adoption of these prevention strategies, particularly in fisheries where these events occur frequently, and evaluate the efficacy of interventions, as supported by the NIOSH strategic plan (10).

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Conflict of Interest

No conflicts of interest were reported.

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Corresponding author: Samantha Case, scase@cdc.gov, 907-271-1569.

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¹Western States Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.

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* Fishery was defined as the fish species targeted and geographic location in which the fishing vessel was operating at the time of the event. Gear type was specified when multiple methods of harvesting could apply.

^† A life ring is a circular flotation device carried on a vessel that can be used in a man-overboard recovery attempt. The life ring is attached to a line and can be thrown to the person in the water to provide immediate buoyancy and prevent drowning while rescue attempts continue.

^§ The gunnel, also known as gunwale, is the uppermost edge of the side of a vessel.

^¶ Requirements for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels, 46 C.F.R., Chap. 1, Part 28; 2012.

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities: census of fatal occupational injuries (CFOI)—current and revised data. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2017. https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm
2. Lincoln JM, Lucas DL. Occupational fatalities in the United States commercial fishing industry, 2000–2009. J Agromed 2010;15:343–50. CrossRef PubMed
3. Lucas DL, Case SL. Work-related mortality in the US fishing industry during 2000–2014: new findings based on improved workforce exposure estimates. Am J Ind Med 2018;61:21–31. CrossRef PubMed
4. Lucas DL, Lincoln JM. Fatal falls overboard on commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. Am J Ind Med 2007;50:962–8. CrossRef PubMed
5. Golden FS, Tipton MJ, Scott RC. Immersion, near-drowning and drowning. Br J Anaesth 1997;79:214–25. CrossRef PubMed
6. Lucas DL, Lincoln JM, Carozza SE, et al. Predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry. Saf Sci 2013;53:177–85. CrossRef
7. Weil R, Pinto K, Lincoln J, Hall-Arber M, Sorensen J. The use of personal flotation devices in the northeast lobster fishing industry: an examination of the decision-making process. Am J Ind Med 2016;59:73–80. CrossRef PubMed
8. Lucas D, Lincoln J, Somervell P, Teske T. Worker satisfaction with personal flotation devices (PFDs) in the fishing industry: evaluations in actual use. Appl Ergon 2012;43:747–52. CrossRef PubMed
9. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A story of impact: PFD manufacturer adopts NIOSH research into product development process. DHHS (NIOSH) publication no. 2015–119. Anchorage, AK: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 2014. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-119/pdfs/2015-119.pdf
10. CDC. NIOSH strategic plan: FYs 2019–2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about/strategicplan/

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FIGURE 1. Number and trend* of unintentional fatal falls overboard (N = 204) in the commercial fishing industry, by year — United States, 2000–2016

* Significant decrease in the number of fatalities during 2000–2016 (Poisson regression, no exposure; incidence rate ratio = 0.961, p = 0.006).
The figure above is a combination bar and line graph showing the number and trend of unintentional fatal falls overboard (N = 204) in the commercial fishing industry, by year, in the United States during 2000–2016.

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TABLE. Characteristics of 204 unintentional fatal falls overboard in the commercial fishing industry — United States, 2000–2016

Characteristic (no. [%] known)	No. (% of known)
Age group, yrs (187 [91.7])
≤24	17 (9.1)
25–44	84 (44.9)
45–64	79 (42.2)
≥65	7 (3.7)
Unknown (% of total)	17 (8.3)
Gender (204 [100.0])
Male	202 (99.0)
Female	2 (1.0)
Race/Ethnicity (144 [70.6])
Non-Hispanic
White	72 (50.0)
Asian	29 (20.1)
American Indian/Alaska Native	16 (11.1)
Black/African American	8 (5.6)
Other	3 (2.1)
Hispanic	16 (11.1)
Unknown (% of total)	60 (29.4)
Position (204 [100.0])
Operator	79 (38.7)
Deckhand	120 (58.8)
Other	5 (2.5)
Experience, yrs (94 [46.1])
≤1	11 (11.7)
2–5	14 (14.9)
6–10	14 (14.9)
11–20	28 (29.8)
≥21	27 (28.7)
Unknown (% of total)	110 (53.9)
Worker activity before fall (152 [74.5])
Traffic onboard	11 (7.2)
On watch	11 (7.2)
Working with fishing gear
Preparing gear	10 (6.6)
Setting gear	35 (23.0)
Hauling gear	20 (13.2)
Handling gear on deck	12 (7.9)
Working with the catch	7 (4.6)
Off duty	34 (22.4)
Other	12 (7.9)
Unknown (% of total)	52 (25.5)
Cause of fall (149 [73.0])
Lost balance	48 (32.2)
Trip/Slip	47 (31.5)
Gear entanglement	31 (20.8)
Struck by gear/object	14 (9.4)
Washed overboard	9 (6.0)
Unknown (% of total)	55 (27.0)

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FIGURE 2. Recovery status of unintentional fatal fall overboard victims (N = 204) and associated prevention strategies — United States, 2000–2016

The figure above is a chart showing the recovery status of unintentional fatal fall overboard victims (N = 204) in the United States during 2000–2016 and associated prevention strategies.