  |
Publication AbstractsEpidemiology of work-related aviation fatalities in Alaska, 1990-94.Garrett LC, Conwat GA, Manwaring JC.Aviat Space Environ Med 1998; 69:11316. AbstractAlaska, with less than one-half of l% of the United States workforce, accounts for 9% of all occupational aviation fatalities nationally; 30% of all occupational fatalities in Alaska are related to aviation. To understand this high mortality, we investigated occupational aviation crashes to identify risk factors. Occupational aviation fatalities in Alaska during 1990-94 were examined using National Transportation Safety Board reports and merged with records from the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System. There were 876 aircraft crashes; 407 (46%) were work-related. Occupational crashes were 2.2 times (Cl: 1.5, 3.2) more likely to result in fatalities than non-occupational crashes. Risk factors identified included poor weather conditions defined as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). A crash during IMC was 5.3 times (Cf: 3.5, 7.9) more likely to result in fatalities than crashes in other conditions. Of aircraft involved in fatal occupational incidents, 33% were not completely destroyed, allowing the potential for survivors. An estimated 30% reduction in fatalities could have occurred if current technology in occupant protection had been used.
Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 69, Number 12 of the ASEM journal.
|
 |
 |