No much information is available on workplace drug testing, including ethanol, being
this substance often implicated in labour accidental deaths. The aim of this study was to
assess the presence of alcohol among in labour fatal accidents between January 1990 and
December 2007, by presenting the requests and toxicological results of corresponding
autopsies, from the Pathology Service of the Centre Branch of the National Institute of
Legal Medicine and from a Legal Medicine Office. In the Forensic Pathology Service,
between 1990 and 2007, a total of 261 autopsies were performed on labour accidents
victims. Ethanol analysis was requested in only 50% of the cases, with 25% positive
results. From the positive studied cases, 24% presented ethanol concentrations above
1.2g/L and 55% under 0.5g/L, with all the cases related to men aged between 41 and 50
years-old (24%). In the Legal Medicine Office, from April 2001 to 2007, 1219 autopsies
were performed, 28 to labour victims, with only one female victim. Ethanol analysis
was requested in 75% of the cases, with 48% positive results, 70% under 0.5g/L, with
all the cases related to men aged between 51 and 60 years-old (24%)