Abstract

Asphyxiation is one of the most insidious occupational hazards. That's partly due to the potential for serious consequences, including death and lasting effects such as brain damage. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has investigated where and under which circumstances asphyxiation is a risk and how many incidents have occurred in the Netherlands in the past twenty years. It did so at the behest of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

Workplace deaths due to asphyxiation are rare, accounting for approximately 1 percent of all fatal occupational accidents. For comparison, falls are responsible for about one third of these fatalities. Still, the chance not to survive is very high in situations involving asphyxiation. It can happen in minutes if no-one is nearby to take immediate action, for example by resuscitating the victim or, if in time, simply by moving them into fresh air. Rescue can also be hazardous, with a quarter of attempts resulting in would-be rescuers ending up as victims themselves.

The causes and circumstances surrounding asphyxiation at work are highly diverse. Besides hazardous substances in industrial environments, there are less obvious dangers as well. Oxygen deficiency in confined spaces is one possibility. This can happen in livestock farming, for example, where the gases released by a manure pit can result in an oxygen-deficient environment. Gaseous preservatives used in the processing, packaging, and storage of fresh fruit or other foods can also be dangerous.

Trade associations and businesses are aware of these hazards and take them into account. For example, they are included in mandatory hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) procedures as part of occupational health and safety management.

Despite these precautions, incidents continue to occur. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment therefore recommends ensuring that workers are made aware of potential hazards and encouraging continued vigilance. Industry-specific campaigns could also be used to raise awareness of the hazards at appropriate times, in the weeks when farmers are spreading fertiliser for example. Last, instructions should be provided to ensure that rescuers stay safe themselves.