How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 25 severe cases of asphyxiation and suffocation over the last decade. These injuries often lead to immediate loss of consciousness and require emergency hospitalization.
These injuries are uniquely dangerous because they often result in rapid neurological impact. You may face long-term cognitive challenges or chronic respiratory issues that can permanently limit your ability to return to your previous job duties.
What causes Asphyxiation and Suffocation
Oxygen displacement is the leading cause of these injuries, often occurring in confined spaces where gases push out breathable air. Other common scenarios involve you becoming caught or entangled in machinery that restricts breathing, or being engulfed by loose materials like grain or soil that block your airways.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxygen displacement | 6 |
| 2 | Caught, entangled in running powered equipment— normal operation | 4 |
| 3 | Collapse, engulfment— loose materials or liquids | 3 |
| 4 | Hitting, kicking, beating by other person | 2 |
| 5 | Choking on object or substance | 2 |
| 6 | Nonroadway collision with object other than vehicle | 1 |
| 7 | Fall on same level | 1 |
| 8 | Other fall to lower level | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 28% of these severe cases, largely due to the presence of large-scale machinery and confined spaces. You are at high risk in these environments when lockout procedures fail or when ventilation systems are inadequate to prevent the buildup of hazardous gases.
Real cases like yours
These incidents frequently involve failures in basic safety protocols, such as the lack of proper guarding on conveyors or the absence of oxygen monitoring in confined areas. Many reports detail situations where you were trapped by equipment or overwhelmed by environmental conditions during routine tasks. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | MO | Construction | "An employee was sanding a piece of concrete in a manhole with a gas-powered saw when they lost consciousness from a lack of oxygen and were hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | OH | Agriculture | "On December 31, 2023, an employee was performing sanitation on a packer conveyor and was walking in the passageway when their shirt collar was pulled into the conveyor above the passageway. The employee was strangled and became unconscious. The conveyor was not guarded at the time." | |
| 2023 | CO | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was skiing down a ski run. The employee caught a snow-covered tree branch, fell upside down into deep snow, and lost consciousness due to suffocation. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | AL | Manufacturing | "An employee was acting as a fire watch within the engine compartment of a vessel observing the cutting of the hull on the outside. The fire suppression system activated and the employee was trapped inside of the compartment. The employee suffered oxygen deprivation and was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | MA | Health Care | "An employee was preparing a snack for a patient when the patient strangled the employee. She lost consciousness and was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | PA | Manufacturing | "An employee was performing maintenance inside a furnace when they lost consciousness due to the oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The employee was hoisted from the space and also sustained a leg fracture." | |
| 2023 | LA | Retail Trade | "An employee was drinking water when the cap came off and became lodged in their throat, requiring hospitalization." | |
| 2021 | WI | Manufacturing | "On October 15, 2021, an employee was repairing a leaking steam hose and was trapped between a moving parts hoist and a drip pan in the plating department. The employee was hospitalized, having suffered a lack of oxygen." | |
| 2020 | TX | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was hauling cotton seed and arrived on-site for a load. When one of the bins would not drop cotton seed, the employee opened the back gate to the trailer and stood on the cotton seed to poke the seed. The cotton seed fell, engulfing the employee. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2020 | MS | Construction | "An employee was operating an aerial lift and was elevated 9.5 feet. While traveling backwards, he was pinned between the cage of the aerial lift and overhead structure bracing. The employee's chest/neck area was pinned, cutting off oxygen and resulting in strangulation." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover injuries that occur during the course of your employment, including those resulting from asphyxiation. If your injury required hospitalization, you are likely eligible for medical coverage and wage replacement. An attorney can help you document the incident to ensure your claim is processed correctly.
Oxygen deprivation can lead to lasting neurological damage, memory loss, and chronic fatigue. Because these impacts may not be immediately apparent, it is vital to have a thorough medical evaluation and legal representation to ensure future medical needs are accounted for in your claim. An attorney can assist in connecting your current symptoms to your workplace incident.
Employers are strictly required to follow OSHA standards for confined space entry, including air testing and ventilation requirements. If your employer failed to provide a safe environment or necessary safety equipment, they may be held liable for your injuries. An attorney can investigate whether your employer violated specific safety regulations that contributed to your suffocation injury.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision through the Workers' Compensation board. Denials are often based on technicalities or disputes regarding the cause of the injury, which can be challenged with the right evidence. An attorney can help you gather witness statements and safety reports to build a strong case for your benefits.