8 research outputs found
Causal factors in construction accidents
Although the British construction industry is one of the safest in Europe, one third of all work
fatalities happen in construction and construction workers are six times more likely to be killed
at work than employees in other sectors. A similar situation exists for non-fatal accidents.
Although previous research has led to a good understanding of the extent and pattern of
accidents in the construction industry, there has been only limited objective analysis of the full
range of contributory managerial, site and individual factors. With this background, the study
had the following aims:
1. To collect rich, detailed data on the full range of factors involved in a large sample of
construction accidents.
2. Using this information, to describe the processes of accident causation, including the
contribution of management, project, site and individual factors in construction industry
accidents.
The research used a combination of focus groups and studies of individual accidents in pursuit
of these
Contributing factors in construction accidents
This overview paper draws together findings from previous focus group research and studies
of 100 individual construction accidents. Pursuing issues raised by the focus groups, the
accident studies collected qualitative information on the circumstances of each incident and
the causal influences involved. Site based data collection entailed interviews with accidentinvolved
personnel and their supervisor or manager, inspection of the accident location, and
review of appropriate documentation. Relevant issues from the site investigations were then
followed up with off-site stakeholders, including designers, manufacturers and suppliers.
Levels of involvement of key factors in the accidents were: problems arising from workers or
the work team (70% of accidents), workplace issues (49%), shortcomings with equipment
(including PPE) (56%), problems with suitability and condition of materials (27%), and
deficiencies with risk management (84%). Employing an ergonomics systems approach, a
model is proposed, indicating the manner in which originating managerial, design and cultural
factors shape the circumstances found in the work place, giving rise to the acts and conditions
which, in turn, lead to accidents. It is argued that attention to the originating influences will
be necessary for sustained improvement in construction safety to be achieved
Construction tools and equipment – their influence on accident causality
This paper presents tools and equipment aspects of the results from a three-year
United Kingdom Government-funded research project investigating accident causality
(ConCA). The project has used focus groups and studied in detail 100 construction
accidents site audits, interviews with involved persons and follow-up along the causal
chain. This paper concentrates on the influence of construction tools and equipment
which were found to be important contributory factors identified by the research.
They have largely been overlooked by previous studies and are not typically
acknowledged as accident contributors. This paper argues for further work to confirm
these links and for the inclusion of tools and equipment in the list of categories in
statutory reporting procedures. This would also require an increased
acknowledgement by construction managers of their influence, leading to better
design and management of their supply and care on site
Kaplan-Meier plot of survival time of children with SAM admitted with and without diarrhoea.
<p>Kaplan-Meier plot of survival time of children with SAM admitted with and without diarrhoea.</p
Frequency of baseline clinical features in 1206 severely malnourished children.
<p>
<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0038321#pone-0038321-t001" target="_blank"><b>Tables 1</b></a><b> and </b><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0038321#pone-0038321-t002" target="_blank"><b>2</b></a><b> legend.</b></p>a<p>APLS definition.</p>b<p>Impaired consciousness  =  prostration or coma.</p>c<p>WHO definition of shock  =  impaired consciousness <i>plus</i> weak pulse volume <i>plus</i> CRT>3 seconds.</p>d<p>WHO features of severe dehydration  = 2 or more of (sunken eyes or decreased skin turgour or lethargy or inability to drink).</p>e<p>WHO Danger signs  =  Hypothermia or hypoglycaemia or lethargy.</p
Blood culture isolates in children admitted with diarrhoea.
<p>Blood culture isolates in children admitted with diarrhoea.</p
Clinical and laboratory features by mortality of 592 children admitted with diarrhoea.
<p>Clinical and laboratory features by mortality of 592 children admitted with diarrhoea.</p
Multivariable logistic regression variables associated with death in children with severe malnutrition and diarrhoea at admission.
<p>Different models with and without low MUAC were tested because MUAC has been reported to vary with hydration status.</p