In general industry, which hazard category is the second leading cause of accidental deaths?

• A. Falls
• B. Electrocution
• C. Chemical burns
• D. Struck-by hazards

Answer: (A)

Falls are a major source of fatal injuries in general industry and rank as the second most common hazard category driving accidental deaths. The reason they sit in this position is that many workplaces involve heights or elevated work—on ladders, scaffolds, rooftops, and raised platforms—and even with some precautions, slips, trips, and missteps can lead to fatal falls when protections aren’t in place or properly used. Effective fall protection—guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, proper ladder use, and good housekeeping—significantly lowers these risks, but gaps in implementation or adherence keep falls as a leading cause. While electrocution, chemical burns, and struck-by incidents are serious hazards, their fatality counts are generally lower than falls in general industry.