Identifying modifiable causes of fall-related injury: An analysis of U.S. Army safety data

Abstract

Details on fall-related circumstances, a leading cause of occupational injury, are scarce. This study aimed to identify modifiable causes of falls using data from safety reports. Coded and narrative data on injured persons, event locations, and circumstances associated with falls sustained by U.S. Army personnel were obtained from safety reports dated September 1994–September 2002. Descriptive statistics are presented for injury outcomes and risk factors, with a focus on falls from elevation. On average, 59 fall-related injuries/100,000 person-years were reported. Higher rates occurred among whites, single persons, and 20–24 year-olds. Falls from elevation resulted in more severe outcomes, longer hospitalizations, and more lost work time compared to falls from the same level. Most falls from elevation occurred in training (32%) and housing (18%) areas. Leading causes included routine activities (e.g., walking, entering/exiting vehicles) (35%), physical training (12%), and sports (12%). Interventions to prevent falls from elevation in this population should focus on reducing risks from routine activities, specifically in training and housing areas. Safety reports provided details necessary for prioritizing and planning fall prevention efforts that are not available from other sources.