Using OSHA Investigation Summaries to Profile Fatal Work Injuries Involving Fire

Abstract

Research into workplace injuries traditionally focuses upon discrete injury events, such as falls, violence, contact with machinery and other traumatic events. By comparison, research literature on work-related injury events involving fire is sparse, despite the fact that fires can produce particularly severe injuries and involve multiple victims. Comparatively little is consequently known about the workplaces and workers involved in fire incidents and the circumstances surrounding these ignitions. This research addresses this knowledge gap by reviewing workplace investigation reports of fatal fires conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in order to identify critical factors in fatal fire incidents between 2013 and 2017. The research indicates that fatal injuries involving fire encompassed a broad range of occupations and work processes. Greater attention to training in hazard recognition and prevention are needed to reduce the threat of fire in work environments where ignition sources coexist with combustible materials.