OSHA Fatal Facts
Fatal Facts describe cases that are representative of hazardous working conditions leading to fatalities at worksites. The documents offer ideas on how to correct these hazards and educate workers about safe work practices.
Agriculture
No. 6-2013 - Cotton Press - Struck/crushed by [PDF]
No. 11-2015 - Farmworker Electrocution [PDF]
Asphyxiation
No. 13 -2016 - Methylene Chloride [PDF]
No. 16 -2018 - Confined Space Entry on a Farm [PDF]
Confined Spaces
No. 12 -2015 - Asphyxiation in Sewer Line Manhole [PDF]
No. 19 -2023 - Confined Space Fire [PDF] [Español: PDF]
Construction
No. 7 -2014 - Fall [PDF]
No. 8 -2014 - Material Hoist Collapse [PDF]
No. 9 -2015 - Parking Garage Collapse [PDF]
Engulfment
No. 10-2015 - Sugar Hopper [PDF]
Insect Sting
No. 17-2021 - Insect Sting [PDF]
Logging
No. 14-2016 - Crushed by Carriage during Skyline-Skidding Operation [PDF]
Oil and Gas
No. 1-2012 - Vehicle, highway incident [PDF]
No. 2-2012 - Struck by, falling object, suspended load incident [PDF]
No. 3-2012 - Struck by, falling object, suspended load incident [PDF]
No. 4-2012 - Fall from derrick [PDF]
No. 5-2012 - Flash fire from crude oil vapors [PDF]
No. 18-2023 - Hydrogen Sulfide Release [PDF]
Warehouse
No. 15-2017 - Warehouse Fall from Pallet Elevated by Forklift [PDF]
Resources
OSHA standards and regulations:
www.osha.gov/laws-regs.html
OSHA publications:
www.osha.gov/publications
OSHA's free On-site Consultation services for small businesses:
www.osha.gov/consultation
Training resources:
www.osha.gov/dte/index.html
Compliance Assistance services:
www.osha.gov/complianceassistance
You Have a Voice in the Workplace
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 affords workers the right to a safe workplace (view OSHA's Workers' Rights page). Workers also have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if they believe that there are either violations of OSHA standards or serious workplace hazards.
How Can OSHA Help?
Workers have a right to a safe workplace. If you think your job is unsafe or have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). It's confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.
OSHA also provides help to employers. OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. For more information or for additional compliance assistance, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
Fatal Facts are not an OSHA standard or regulation and they create no new legal obligations. The recommendations contained herein are advisory in nature and are intended to assist employers in providing safe and healthful workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to comply with safety and health standards promulgated by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved State Plan. The requirements of OSHA-approved state plans can be reviewed by selecting the state’s website at: www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html. The OSH Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide employees with workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.