Fatal occupational injuries in eastern Turkey between 2000 and 2016.

Fatal occupational injuries are a preventable social problem seen all around the world. This study aimed to determine the data of unintentional fatal injuries in the workplace and to discuss the findings in the light of the literature. Occupational fatalities, which had undergone external examination and autopsy between 2000-2016 in Elazig province in Eastern Turkey, were analyzed retrospectively. There were 130 fatalities; 128 (98.5 %) were males and the most common age group was 25-44 (42.3%) years. The average age of fatalities in the agricultural sector was higher than in other sectors. Occupational fatalities most frequently occurred in construction (30%) followed by agriculture (24.6%). Fatal injuries mostly occurred as a result of a fall from a height (34.6%). The head (50.8%) and the thorax (47.7%) were the most common injured body parts. For occupational health and safety, it is necessary to take safety measures at workplaces, provide protective equipment, and increase the quality of inspections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]