MMWR News Synopsis for April 27, 2017

Occupational Fatalities Resulting from Falls in the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry, United States, 2005–2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Fatal falls remain a leading cause of death among oil and gas extraction workers. Efforts in fall prevention should target derrickmen and workers engaged in drilling-rig assembly and disassembly at the well site (rigging up and rigging down) or when workers were removing or inserting drill pipe into the wellbore. Interventions can include engineering controls that eliminate the need to work at height or administrative controls to ensure derrickmen and other workers remember to anchor themselves while working at height. During 2003–2013, fatality rates for all causes of death among oil and gas extraction workers decreased, except for deaths from falls, which increased. New analysis of fatal fall events shows more than half of the falls were from a height greater than 30 feet. The most common location of the fall was the drilling-rig derrick board, where derrickmen handle drill pipe. In 86 percent of fatal falls in this series, fall protection was required by regulation but in many cases it was not used, was used improperly, or the equipment failed. Fifteen workers who died were wearing a harness, but they fell because their harness was not attached to an anchor point.

Trends in Repeat Births and Use of Postpartum Contraception Among Teens — United States, 2004–2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Data suggest that most teen mothers are taking steps to prevent another pregnancy, but 1 in 3 is using either a least effective method or no contraception at all postpartum. The number of teen mothers having a repeat birth before age 20 has declined since 2004; however, in 2015, more than 38,000 U.S. teens had a repeat birth. And, one-third of teen mothers report using a least effective method or no contraception postpartum. Repeat teen births are more likely than first teen births to be preterm and low birth weight, and giving birth more than once as a teenager can significantly limit a mother’s ability to attend school and obtain work experience. In 2015, 1 in 6 births to teens ages 15 to 19 years was a repeat birth, a decline from 1 in 5 in 2004. About a quarter of teen mothers used one of the most effective methods of contraception (i.e., less than 1% failure rate) in 2013 – five times higher than in 2004. However, overall contraceptive use among teen mothers did not change during this time and one third used a least effective contraceptive method (i.e., more than 10% failure rate) or no contraception at all in 2013. Ensuring teen mothers have access to the full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods, which are effective and safe for use by most teens, can further reduce repeat births.

Notes from the Field:

• None

Quick Stats:

• Percentage of Adult Workers Aged ≥18 Years Who Reported Being Threatened, Bullied, or Harassed While on the Job, by Sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010 and 2015

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