Dump truck‐related deaths in construction, 1992–2007

Background Dump trucks are universally used in construction and other industries to haul materials to the location and to remove waste materials. Methods The source for dump truck‐related fatality data was the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) Research File. Results From 1992 to 2007, 829 construction workers were killed in dump truck‐related incidents nationwide. Of those, 336 were dump truck operators with 215 deaths occurring in street and highway incidents. Another 343 deaths involved workers on foot, three‐quarters struck by dump trucks. Sixty‐four of the construction workers killed were maintaining dump trucks, 22 when caught between the truck frame and a falling dump truck bed. Of the 86 other deaths, 55 involved streets and highways. Conclusions Recommendations include: (i) improving the reporting of seat belt usage in fatality reports; (ii) requiring use of seat belts; (iii) requiring the use of backup alarms, spotters, or other methods to alert dump truck operators to workers in their blind spots; (iv) prohibiting direct dumping at river banks and embankments; (v) using cameras or radar to enforce stopping at railway crossings; and (xi) enforcing worker safety practices (e.g., lockout/tagout procedures on elevated dump truck beds). Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:450–457, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.