Journal of Occupational Accidents最新文献

Williamson, A. and Feyer, A.-M., 1990. Behavioural epidemiology as a tool for accident research. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 12: 207–222.

In this study the incidence and nature of behavioural events preceding work-related fatalities were investigated. All occupational facilities were examined for the years 1982 to 1984. The events preceding the fatality and any pre-existing factors that contributed to the fatality were coded. The coding focussed on such aspects as the environment, equipment design and upkeep, as well as human factors like work practice, supervision, training, medical precursors and task errors. The primary events and contributory factors were ranked and weighted in order to establish the casual relationships between them. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the nature of these relationships across all fatalities.

As this study covers so many types of accidents in such a wide variety of occupational groups, the results provide more specific information about human behavioural epidemiological method to evaluate the impact of different aspects of human error on accident causation. This method will allow highlighting of the most suitable strategies for accident prevention.

Andersson, R., Kemmlert, K. and Kilbom, Å, 1990. Etiological differences between accidental and non-accidental occupational overexertion injuries. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 12: 177–186.

Unintentional injuries and accidents are often considered equal or corresponding terms. However, definitions are different in various countries. In Swedish official statistics overexertion injuries, which are the dominating types of occupational injuries at present, are subdivided into accidents and diseases. The former are appearing suddenly and the latter appear gradually.

In this study the relevance of this distinction is evaluated from an etiological and preventive point of view. It is shown that differences exist between the two groups in several important respects. Differences in sex, age, injured part of body, industry, load situation, etc., give support to the conclusion that overexertion accidents and diseases originate from different causal conditions. It was also found that the descriptions of the origin and countermeasures in the basic injury reports were poorer as regards accidents. These findings should be taken into consideration when preventive programmes are designed.

Laflamme L., 1990. A better understanding of occupational accident genesis to improve safety in the workplace. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 12: 155–165.

In the past few decades, several models were developed to study occupational accidents. This paper classifies those models that are most often quoted in the literature into four different approaches: decisional models; sequential; energetic and sequential models; and organizational models. A conceptual frame of reference for accident analysis is then suggested. It high-lights the specific contributions of each group of models in accident research development and stresses their overlapping concepts and assumptions.

Three of these assumptions are quite determinant in accident research's orientations: (1) the distinction made between an injury and an accident; (2) the presumed existence of typical sequences of events leading to accidents — previously initiated by a deviation in a man-machine system; (3) the influence of both situational and organizational factors in accident genesis. They are discussed in sight of their potential for safety improvement in the workplace as follows. Firstly, accident analysis as opposed to injury analysis stresses preventive rather than protective measures. Secondly, the search for accidental sequences of events emphasizes the identification of features common to many accident scenarios and expands the preventive effects of safety measures. Delt with in a systemic way, this search might also lead to countermeasures that are not only aimed at adapting man to his environment but conversely, environment to man. Thirdly, appraisal of the work situation and organization mechanisms influencing the risk of accidents provides clues to preventive strategies of a long duration and a great effect on the improvement in work safety.

It is sustained that a systems approach is essential in accident research since it stresses that multi-dimensional mechanisms of influence rather than simple linear causes must be sought in order to reconstitute accidents' history. However, it is also emphasized that, by all accounts, accident research cannot assume that all preventive strategies and measures it will guide towards shall have the same impact on improving work safety.

This paper examines the current practices employed in many parts of the world for managing risks and setting safety priorities and outlines the development of a model which will satisfy both the technical and sociological requirements for determining valid safety priorities.

Various methods used for setting safety priorities were examined and broken down into the respective variables which form part of their assessment.

It was observed that each documented method used different combinations of variables and many used completely different variables all together. From this information grew the realisation that if a variable is important and valid, surely it should be used in every determination of setting safety priorities.

The variables necessary to form a methodical assessment of safety priority were found to fall into two broad categories, these being: — Risk Assessment Variables — Priority Modification Variables

A model was then developed to incorporate the necessary variables for a complete assessment of safety priority.

A number of Melbourne based companies and institutions have been using the system since 1985 as part of their participatory decision making process. None have detailed any financial advantages of using the system, however, many organisations have reported a drop in disputation in relation to setting safety priorities and have also reported a greater acceptance of the final priority list.

Kjellén U., 1990. Safety control in design. Experiences from an offshore project. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 12: 49–61.

A model for accident prevention in design is outlined. The model is rooted in quality assurance principles and incorporates various safety analysis techniques. It has been applied as a part of the safety program of an offshore development project. Examples of results and experiences from this application are presented. The presentation focuses on activities to establish safety goals and requirements related to design, to secure experience from offshore installations in operation and to control and verify that the safety requirements are met. A certain degree of success has been achieved in the implementation of the model in the project's safety program. The application of analytic techniques such as black spot analysis and job safety analysis has provided valuable input to decisions in the various phases of the project. Although the model has been developed for offshore applications, it is of a general nature and is applicable to other branches of industry as well.

Safety activities in companies are historically characterized by concentration on accidents — potential or experienced. Both organizationally-oriented and individually-oriented activities assume that knowledge and information are enough to improve safety. Much empirical evidence indicates that knowledge of risks is not enough to bring about changes in unsafe behaviour. Man is not a rational decision-maker as concerns safety issues, and decision-making is influenced by feelings. Therefore social feedback encouraging safe behaviour has been quite successful in modifying behaviour. It is concluded that information oriented (such as accident investigations, safety inspections, safety campaigns) safety programs should be complemented with motivation oriented program elements (such as performance feedback). It is also emphasised that instead of concentrating only on accidents, work and organizational behaviour should be considered more comprehensively. The challenge is to develop strategies that make safety an integral part of the modern lifestyle of individuals, and one characteristic of a competitive company.

This study reports the results of an epidemiological study of farm workers' injuries conducted over a period of one year in a rural population of 25,000. Of the 573 persons who sustained farm equipment related injuries 72 persons had injuries with severity of AIS 2 or greater. A majority of the latter injuries were due to tractors, fodder cutters and other powered equipment. Minor injuries were largely due to hand tools. Most farmers took treatment from local bone setters and healers. Cases of AIS ⩾ 2 were followed to observe their long term outcome. Results show that the sequelae of fractures, crush injuries and amputations among farmers are different from those of urban dwellers. The morbidity period of injuries which would normally have taken 3–4 weeks with professional orthopaedic management was 6–8 weeks and even 5–6 months in some cases. Injured farmers went to hospitals only after local treatment had not given relief. Details of factors associated with injury and treatment are presented along with possible countermeasures which are possible in the socioeconomic milieu in which these farmers work.