1. Fall of person
A person falls from one level to another
FREE REFERENCE SHEET
Fewer Than 25 Ways to Die: Fatal Risk Starter List
People aren't dying in new ways. Here are the most common fatal risks.
Each fatal risk is defined as the moment control of energy is lost, not as an activity or a behaviour. Use this list as a starting point and check the ones you believe apply to your work.
2. Fall of object
An object falls or is dropped onto a person, including ice, structure parts and loads coming off transport
3. Failure of hoisted load
A load or lifting equipment fails during a lift
4. Structural failure
A structure, scaffold, trench wall fails or collapses
5. Contact with electricity
A person contacts an energized conductor, or arc flash occurs
6. Entanglement
A person is caught in or drawn into rotating or moving equipment
7. Fire
A flammable liquid or material ignites and burns out of control
8. Release of fluid under pressure
Gas, liquid or steam escapes under pressure
9. Ignition of gas
A flammable gas or vapour ignites, causing a flash fire or explosion
10. Extreme weather exposure
Exposure to extreme heat, extreme cold, lightning or high winds
11. Wildlife interaction
A person encounters a dangerous animal, such as a bear
12. Engulfment / Drowning
A person is submerged in water or engulfed by bulk material such as grain or sand
13. Irrespirable atmosphere
Exposure to H2S, low oxygen or another toxic gas
14. Airborne particulates exposure
A person inhales dust, smoke or fumes at harmful levels, often over a prolonged period. Death can occur years later.
15. Release of object under tension
A cable, chain, spring or other tensioned object breaks or releases suddenly, striking a person
16. Hazardous chemical exposure
Contact with chemicals at levels that kill
17. Vehicle collision
A vehicle or mobile equipment collides or rolls over
18. Person struck by vehicle / equipment
A moving vehicle or machine hits someone on foot
19. Person crushed between stationary and moving object
A person is crushed when moving equipment or a load closes the gap against a fixed object
20. Person assaulted by person or persons
A responder (paramedic, police or firefighter) is killed by a person at the scene
21. Person suffers cardiac arrest
Sudden cardiac death from exertion and stress. Leading cause of on-duty firefighter deaths in North America
Common definition traps
Often defined as
Dropped object
Better as
Fall of object
Why it matters
“Dropped” misses ice, parts of a structure, loads off transport
Often defined as
Working around water
Better as
Engulfment / Drowning
Why it matters
The first is an activity; the fatal risk is the engulfment or drowning
Often defined as
Working at heights
Better as
Fall of person
Why it matters
The first is an activity; defining correctly builds the right controls
Often defined as
Hazardous energy
Better as
Broken down into multiple risks
Why it matters
Hazardous energy is too big. There are multiple fatal risks within it (contact with electricity, objects under tension, etc.)
You've listed your fatal risks. Now test whether your controls are real.
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