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The interest of a forensic approach of fatal occupational accidents
Fifth Cross Channel Conference on Forensic Medicine 1995
7
T h e i n t e r e s t o f a f o r e n s i c a p p r o a c h o f fatal occupational accidents
B e l t e d d r i v e r s ' f r a c t u r e s o f t h e n o s e in f r o n t a l
F. Guillon, E. Desfarges, E. Benbrik Hrpital R. Poincard, AP-HP, 104 boulevard R. Poincar~, 92380 Garches, France
Herv~ Douceron Service de R~rducation Spdcialisde, Hrpital Charles Foix, AP-HP, 7Avenue de la R#publique, 94205 Ivry sur Seine Cedex, France
One thousand fatal occupational accidents occur every year in France. Their forensic analysis is mostly unsatisfactory. Epidemiological data are missing. The intervention of the occupational inspection is late in almost half of the cases. Autopsies are not carried out systematically. In case of a subsequent dispute, the anatomical verification of a putrefied corpse does not bring any reliable argument. Justice rarely interferes even when seeking for individual responsibilities is becoming more difficult because of trading relations between firms. This situation is detrimental to knowledge, to justice, and to prevention, therefore, to the improvement of safety at work. Since 1987, we apply an original practice to fatal occupational accidents occurring in Yvelines. The judges of Versailles court are immediately informed of the death. AutoPsY is practiced systematically. An investigation is carried out on site, within the few hours following the accident, by the occupational inspection department, the forensic pathologist and the technical expert. This approach enables one to get an exhaustive view of the fatal occupational accidents in one region. The exact causes of death are clearly identified. The anatomical-technical comparison allows the identification of every injury factor and of its relative chronology. The performance of these expert's reports, synthesized by a multidisciplinary approach, is increased. This approach is light from the administrative viewpoint. It is in perfect agreement with the aims and the mission of justice, especially by applying the new penal code affecting the integrity of the person. From the material point of view, this method of approaching fatal occupational accidents reduces social cost, by improving the processes. KEYWORDS - Fatal occupational accident, investigation, prevention
crashes: epidemiology and biomechanic
During a frontal crash over 30 kin/h, the face of more than 80% of belted drivers hits the steering wheel. Fracture of the nose is the commonest bony lesion and represents 12% of facial injuries. In order to help engineers in improving the safety of steering wheels, we studied biomechanic behaviour of the nasal bones on 5 isolated cadaver heads, rigidly fixed, fitted with 5 tridirectional strain gauges per hemiface and impactedin the middle of the nasal bones with a rigid steering wheel rim of 25 mm diameter. We thought that knowledge of the energy level able to fracture a nose was important for a forensic practitioner in order to conclude, for example, on the participation of a blow from a sofid body in the constitution of injury. Fracture of the nose occurs when the energy of impact is above 42 J and delivered at 4 m/see. Absorbed energy is 28 J. The impact lasts 15 msec and the double force peak of 2200 and 2000 N occurs, respectively, at 2.5 and 9.5 msec from the onset of impact. The maximal intrafacial deflection is 30 mm at 10.5 msec from the onset of impact. KEYWORDS - Fractures, nasal skeleton, belted drivers, frontal crashes, epidemiology, biomechanic
7
T h e i n t e r e s t o f a f o r e n s i c a p p r o a c h o f fatal occupational accidents
B e l t e d d r i v e r s ' f r a c t u r e s o f t h e n o s e in f r o n t a l
F. Guillon, E. Desfarges, E. Benbrik Hrpital R. Poincard, AP-HP, 104 boulevard R. Poincar~, 92380 Garches, France
Herv~ Douceron Service de R~rducation Spdcialisde, Hrpital Charles Foix, AP-HP, 7Avenue de la R#publique, 94205 Ivry sur Seine Cedex, France
One thousand fatal occupational accidents occur every year in France. Their forensic analysis is mostly unsatisfactory. Epidemiological data are missing. The intervention of the occupational inspection is late in almost half of the cases. Autopsies are not carried out systematically. In case of a subsequent dispute, the anatomical verification of a putrefied corpse does not bring any reliable argument. Justice rarely interferes even when seeking for individual responsibilities is becoming more difficult because of trading relations between firms. This situation is detrimental to knowledge, to justice, and to prevention, therefore, to the improvement of safety at work. Since 1987, we apply an original practice to fatal occupational accidents occurring in Yvelines. The judges of Versailles court are immediately informed of the death. AutoPsY is practiced systematically. An investigation is carried out on site, within the few hours following the accident, by the occupational inspection department, the forensic pathologist and the technical expert. This approach enables one to get an exhaustive view of the fatal occupational accidents in one region. The exact causes of death are clearly identified. The anatomical-technical comparison allows the identification of every injury factor and of its relative chronology. The performance of these expert's reports, synthesized by a multidisciplinary approach, is increased. This approach is light from the administrative viewpoint. It is in perfect agreement with the aims and the mission of justice, especially by applying the new penal code affecting the integrity of the person. From the material point of view, this method of approaching fatal occupational accidents reduces social cost, by improving the processes. KEYWORDS - Fatal occupational accident, investigation, prevention
crashes: epidemiology and biomechanic
During a frontal crash over 30 kin/h, the face of more than 80% of belted drivers hits the steering wheel. Fracture of the nose is the commonest bony lesion and represents 12% of facial injuries. In order to help engineers in improving the safety of steering wheels, we studied biomechanic behaviour of the nasal bones on 5 isolated cadaver heads, rigidly fixed, fitted with 5 tridirectional strain gauges per hemiface and impactedin the middle of the nasal bones with a rigid steering wheel rim of 25 mm diameter. We thought that knowledge of the energy level able to fracture a nose was important for a forensic practitioner in order to conclude, for example, on the participation of a blow from a sofid body in the constitution of injury. Fracture of the nose occurs when the energy of impact is above 42 J and delivered at 4 m/see. Absorbed energy is 28 J. The impact lasts 15 msec and the double force peak of 2200 and 2000 N occurs, respectively, at 2.5 and 9.5 msec from the onset of impact. The maximal intrafacial deflection is 30 mm at 10.5 msec from the onset of impact. KEYWORDS - Fractures, nasal skeleton, belted drivers, frontal crashes, epidemiology, biomechanic