All fatal workplace accidents occurring in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1983 and 1984 were investigated for cause of accident, preventability, type of industry, number of employees, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs. Approximately 40% of these accidents were not within the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and therefore were not reported to or investigated by OSHA. More than 60% of the fatal accidents investigated by OSHA resulted in one or more citations, and all but one accident was judged preventable. Drugs were not found at autopsy in any of the accident victims, and a significant alcohol level was found in only one victim. Nearly 80% of the fatal accidents investigated occurred at locations with fewer than 100 employees.