Lecture #1 Summary Construction industry has one of the highest accident rates. Very little data on worker health impacts. Difference between following the law and making it a work culture Safety & Health have been secondary project objectives but is gaining importance today. Practices vary widely between companies in the same country and across countries

What is an Accident ? An unplanned event ? (which may or may not result in damage – injury) Can we “plan” to avoid an “unplanned” event ? Is a near-miss an accident ?

NO DAMAGE OR NO INJURY CASES MAJOR, MINOR & NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS. MAJOR ACCIDENT 1 MINOR ACCIDENTS 29 NO DAMAGE OR NO INJURY CASES 300

Goals-Freedom Alertness Accident Theories – (why do accidents occur & how can they be prevented) Accident Proneness Goals-Freedom Alertness Adjustment-Stress Distractions Theory Chain of Events

Accident Proneness Theory Are some people more accident prone ? Accident proneness “ A personal idiosyncrasy predisposing the individual who possess it in a marked degree to a relatively high accident rate” [Farmer & Chambers 1929] “The innate propensity for accidents” Traits for propensity Fatalistic Extroverted Aggressive

Accident Proneness Theory Perception and willingness to take risks - Risk Proneness Age .vs. Risk Proneness Situation .vs. Risk Proneness Only few hypotheses have been validated statistically How can it be applied to reduce accidents ?

Goal Freedom Alertness by Kerr Psychologically rewarding environment leads to safe work performance Well defined goal by Management through worker participation Freedom to pursue the goal Results in Alertness to achieve the goal How can it be applied to reduce accidents ?

Adjustment-Stress Theory Kerr Diversion/Stress compromises safe performance Complement to earlier 2 theories – GFA Diversion –External or Internal

Adjustment-Stress Theory Internal Stress Fatigue, Alcohol, Anxiety External Stress Noise, Illumination, Temperature Generated on Job or Outside Management Focus to reduce job stress – cost, time restrictions Unsafe environment Poor interpersonal relationships Mgmt sensitivity to outside job stresses

Proportion of Accidents Explained

Distractions Theory-Internal Hinze Accident causation theory applied to a situation where there is a recognized hazard. Focus on Task (High task achievement) Distraction (Low task achievement) Are productivity and safety in conflict ?

Distractions Theory-Internal Distraction Due to work hazard High Probability of Injury Low Focus Serious Hazard Moderate Hazard Minor Hazard High Focus Low Low High Task Achievement

Distractions Theory-Internal Example- Painter standing on a support Distraction from the activity High Probability of Injury Low Focus Standing on stool Standing on Ladder Scaffolding High Focus Low Low High Task Achievement

Distractions Theory-External (Mental Distractions) Example- Preoccupation with issues not related to work External Distraction Source!! (positive or negative) High Probability of Injury High Focus Serious Distraction Low Focus Trivial Distraction Low Low High Task Achievement HOW CAN MANAGEMENT APPLY DISTRACTIONS THEORY ?

Chain-of-Events Theory Accidents are a result of a series of events If any event in this series or chain had not occurred the accident might be averted Last event is usually caused by the worker - so the worker is usually blamed Chain of events is not strictly a theory but a means to prevent/analyze accidents.

Chain-of-Events Theory Situation: * Worker falls of 3rd story & is seriously injured * Not wearing safety belt * No rails around perimeter * Worker assumed safety belt is not available * Others were not wearing safety belts * Long form to fill to get belt from store Who is responsible ? How could the chain be broken ?

Chain-of-Events Theory Basically MANAGEMENT Chain of event analysis shows that in most accidents management can somehow break the chain * Enforce Procedures * Inadequate Facilities * Poor Design or Selection * Poor Attitude * Inadequate Training * Poor maintenance * Inadequate Planning & Layout * Failure to Recognize hazard * Lack of Comprehension * Inadequate Coordination

CHAIN OF EVENTS PROJECT ORG MANAGEMENT UNSAFE ACTS UNSAFE CONDITION WORKER INJURY

Summary- Accident Theories Accident Proneness Goals-Freedom Alertness Adjustment-Stress Distractions Theory Chain of Events