The role of alcohol in fatal work related injuries

In this retrospective autopsy study, a detailed analysis of the role of alcohol in fatal work related injuries is presented. In the period from 1996 to 2008, 16.261 forensic autopsies were carried out FM in Belgrade, Serbia. Out of this number, in _ L9 cases (3.2 %) cause of death was connected with injuries sustained at work. The fatally injured work were most frequently male persons aged between 41 and 50. Alcohol in blood was detected in 81 cases (15.6 % of 519 or 24 % out of 337 cases in which blood alcohol testing was performed). In the majority of cases the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 gram pro mille (parts per thousand). The results have shown that a great number of workers consume alcohol before and during the work hours. For this reason it is necessary to take measures for stricter control of workers both incoming to work and during the work hours.