Synopsis for April 23, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Occupational Fatalities During Trenching and Excavation Work — United States, 1992-2001
2. Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Resulting from Open Air Exposures to Operating Motorboats — Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 2003
3. Work-Related Pilot Fatalities in Agriculture — United States, 1992-2001
4. Nosocomial Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Found Through Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Taipei, Taiwan, 2003

Synopsis for April 23, 2004

Many of the injuries and fatalities associated with trench and excavation work are preventable. Future deaths in trenching and excavation activities may be prevented through compliance with the OSHA excavation standards.

Fatalities in the United States associated with trench collapses and other excavation hazards continue to occur despite an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard that specifies safe work practices to reduce hazards for workers. Approximately 54 workers are killed annually as a result of these hazards, according to a review of surveillance data performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC). This review identified 542 fatalities over the period 1992-2001, nearly half (256 or 47%) in firms with 10 or fewer workers, and 70% (381) in firms with fewer than 50 workers. Many of the injuries and fatalities associated with trench and excavation work are preventable and occur when the guidance of the OSHA standard is not followed.

Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Resulting from Open Air Exposures to Operating Motorboats — Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 2003

Community leaders and safety officials need to be aware that employees and vacationers in proximity to operating motorboats could be exposed to potentially lethal levels of CO and take steps to monitor CO levels and prevent poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is possible in open, outdoor environments when large numbers of motorboats gather, according to CDC. A recent CDC study confirmed excessive CO exposures among both vacationers and employees present during crowded motorboat gatherings. The report notes that substantial CO exposures were identified in the late afternoon during crowded boating conditions. Both employees and vacationers had elevations in expired breath CO concentrations. Public health officials in communities with lakes and rivers where boats congregate in large numbers should monitor CO exposures during high-traffic periods and take steps to prevent poisoning.

Work-Related Pilot Fatalities in Agriculture — United States, 1992-2001

Pilots who fly in the agricultural industry are three times more likely to die in job-related crashes than pilots in other industries. Additional safety training for agricultural pilots may be needed.

Airplane pilots in the agricultural industry have a three times higher risk of job-related death from crashes than pilots in other industries. From 1992 to 2001, 141 work-related deaths occurred among pilots in the agricultural industry, accounting for 12 percent of all work-related pilot fatalities during that period. Flying at relatively low altitudes, pilots in the agricultural industry face risk of collision with trees, poles, power lines, towers, and guy wires. Efforts being pursued in the agricultural aviation industry to reduce these risks include safety training for pilots.

Nosocomial Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Found Through Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Taipei, Taiwan, 2003

SARS screenings turn up TB cases in Taiwan hospital workers.

A Taiwanese hospital identified 60 health-care workers with TB disease in 2003. Despite high TB prevalence in the community and a hospital setting conducive to exposure of health-care workers, these cases had not been detected until widespread SARS screening was implemented among hospital workers. Health-care workers in the respiratory ward were at higher risk of exposure than others. The establishment of TB surveillance for health-care workers is an important part of TB control plans, particularly in locations where TB prevalence in the community is high.

Media Home | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed April 23, 2004
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/mmwrnews/n040423.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication