Analysis of investigation reports on occupational accidents.

The investigation of accidents is an occupational safety analytical tool aimed at discovering the causes of an accident. Conducting these investigations properly is essential to obtain useful information that helps avoid these accidents in the future. To prepare this study we analysed 567 investigations, conducted by OHS technical advisors, on occupational accidents occurring in Spain from 2009 to 2012 in industries such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services, in order to obtain information to improve the use of this technique. In this study we analyzed how accident investigation reports are made identifying main flaws and omissions. Accident investigations lack details as they often do not consider the variables in the ESAW (European Statistics on Accidents at Work) Project. Likewise, they lack depth in determining the causes associated to active faults, preferably to latent faults, and to the company management and organisation systems. Similarly, they do not comply with the standards recommended by experts. Finally, in the conclusions we recommend two priorities: having a harmonised European model to conduct occupational accident investigations, as well as being able to access databases that collect accident investigation reports of this kind

Methodologies for investigating occupational accidents and their use in occupational health and safety research. Literature review.

El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar los principales estudios publicados sobre accidentes de trabajo para reconocer, clasificar y describir las metodologías científicas utilizadas. Para lograr el objetivo planteado utilizamos un método ya implementado y validado, consistente en una extensa revisión de la literatura científica internacional relacionada con las metodologías de investigación de accidentes en seguridad y salud laboral. A continuación, para evaluar la importancia de estas metodologías, analizamos el número de veces que se citan las publicaciones seleccionadas y el factor de impacto de la revista en la que se publicó. Los resultados de esta revisión muestran que en las últimas décadas se han desarrollado muchas metodologías de investigación diferentes. Estas metodologías cubren diferentes áreas de aplicación, cualidades y limitaciones, entendiendo que una investigación exhaustiva de un accidente requiere una combinación de diferentes actividades incluidas en estos métodos. El presente estudio describe cuáles son las metodologías más utilizadas en el ámbito de la investigación de accidentes laborales. Se identificaron un total de 35 metodologías diferentes. Este estudio revela que, incluso a día de hoy, no se dispone de muchas metodologías centradas en el ámbito de la salud y la seguridad en el trabajo. Por otro lado, para desarrollar y avanzar en la aplicación de las técnicas de investigación de accidentes de trabajo, sería recomendable promover estudios que verifiquen la correcta selección y uso de las metodologías en casos reales de accidentes de trabaj

Expert perspective on health and safety determinants in wineries.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/2067BACKGROUND: The scientific literature contextualizes health and safety (H&S) in two major models, the first is based on a holistic perspective with H&S processes in all company departments, and the second approaches health and safety management from a more operational perspective. In this study, we examine the issue of health and safety in wineries. In 2017, a census showed that wineries account for 14% of the food and beverage industry in Spain. They provide direct employment for 24,051 people and involve complex winemaking processes that can cause accidents or occupational diseases. Wineries are part of the industrial sector, which, with 5,264 lost-time accidents per 100,000 workers in 2017, ranks second in the number of occupational accidents in Spain. This shows the need to determine the changes needed to improve health and safety in wineries. METHODS: In this study, we identify H&S determinants in wineries using Delphi methodology with a panel of 11 experts. CONCLUSION: The experts gave high scores to the “activities” dimension, and others such as “control of personal and collective protective equipment” and “training”, together with “accident investigation“, “coordinated health and safety mea sures” and “signage” are associated with operational health and safety determinants, namely, capitalizing on knowledge gained in situ and promoting organizationa

Delphi assessment of occupational hazards in the wineries of Andalusia, in southern Spain.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/13808Risk assessment is essential to making informed decisions on occupational risk prevention. The health and safety conditions of workers can be improved by issuing voluntary certifications, such as ISO 45001. This is particularly important in sectors such as wineries. In 2017 these numbered 4093, representing 14% of the food and drink industry in Spain, of which 290 were in Andalusia. The incidence rate for 2017 in the industrial sector in Spain was 5.264 work accidents with sick leave for every 100,000 affiliated workers, making this the sector with the second highest number of work accidents after that of construction. The study aims to assess the risks in wineries in Andalucía, southern Spain, by analysing the opinions of a group of experts with experience in the sector. The Delphi method was used for this study and was carried out in conjunction with a panel of 11 experts. The results indicated that the most significant workplace risks were those occurring in the production facility, workshop or factory; in terms of occupation, those exposed to the greatest risk were machine operators; regarding the type of work, production, processing and storage posed the highest levels of risk; operating machinery was the physical activity with the highest risk; in the area of causes of accidents, the highest risk was of slipping, tripping and falling; and, finally, with regard to how an accident could occur, the highest level of risk was considered to be contact with electric current

Comparative risk assessment of vehicle maintenance activities: Hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell cars

In this research, vehicle maintenance activities and their safety risks were statistically analyzed. This study focused on three types of vehicle: hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell cars. The repair activities and the risks for each power train technology were identified by a panel of experts. Depending on its frequency and severity, risk values were calculated for each maintenance activity. The method chosen was the staticized group method, which involves collection opinions from a panel of experts. The ten experts finally chosen were asked to anonymously respond to a survey that had been especially designed to reduce bias and ensure the quality of the data. The most dangerous vehicle maintenance activities were the manipulation of asbestos, charging and discharging of high value capacitors, and welding

Does Europe Need an EU Product Safety Directive for Access Scaffolding?

The main requirement established for the development of European Union product safety directives is to ensure a high level of safety for users. This research aims to analyze whether Europe needs a product safety directive for scaffolding and identify the main factors to be defined in public policies on the use of standardized scaffolding in the absence of such a directive. The principal types of scaffolding were reviewed, along with European regulations, and their risk levels. Finally, a qualitative study using a panel of experts was conducted to determine the differences between types of scaffolding and whether the enactment of such a directive would be justified. Key results were that the risk level associated with scaffolding positioned it third or fourth between material agents more hazardous in relation to falls from height. There is no existing product safety directive for scaffolding, despite the fact that there are directives for other products less dangerous than or as dangerous as scaffolding. However, there are noncompulsory standards EN 12810-1-2 and EN 12811-1-2-3-4 for scaffolding, which would form the basis of the essential requirements contained in a directive if it were created. The experts highlighted significant differences between “standardized” and “nonstandardized” scaffolding, with higher safety levels and productivity, and better maintenance, inspection, assembly, and dismantling associated with the former, and lower costs with the latter. Thus, they found that the enacting of an EU product safety directive for scaffolding would be justifiable, and in its absence supported the promotion of the use of standardized scaffolding.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad BIA2016-79270-PMinisterio de Educación, Cultura y Deportes FPU 2016/0329

Modeling injury rates as a function of industrialized versus on-site construction techniques

It is often predicted that the industrialization of building activities will lead to a reduction of accident rates in the construction sector, particularly as a result of switching activities from building sites to factories. However, to date no scientific research has provided objective quantitative results to back up this claim. The aim of this paper is to evaluate how industrialization affects the accident rate in different industrialized building systems in Spain. Our results revealed that the industrialized steel modular system presents the lowest accident rate, while the highest accident rate was recorded in the construction method with cast-in-place concrete. The lightweight construction system also presents a high accident rate. Accordingly, industrialized building systems cannot claim to be safer than traditional ones. The different types of “on-site work” seem to be the main variable which would explain the accident rates recorded in industrialized construction systems.Peer Reviewe

Modeling injury rates as a function of industrialized versus on-site construction techniques

It is often predicted that the industrialization of building activities will lead to a reduction of accident rates in the construction sector, particularly as a result of switching activities from building sites to factories. However, to date no scientific research has provided objective quantitative results to back up this claim. The aim of this paper is to evaluate how industrialization affects the accident rate in different industrialized building systems in Spain. Our results revealed that the industrialized steel modular system presents the lowest accident rate, while the highest accident rate was recorded in the construction method with cast-in-place concrete. The lightweight construction system also presents a high accident rate. Accordingly, industrialized building systems cannot claim to be safer than traditional ones. The different types of “on-site work” seem to be the main variable which would explain the accident rates recorded in industrialized construction systems.Peer Reviewe

Drivers' Perception of the Major Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Governments support the use of electric. These vehicles have environmental, economic and technical advantages. However, drivers of electric vehicles perceive the environmental benefits as most important advantages.General Direction of Traffic of Spai

Does Europe Need an EU Product Safety Directive for Access Scaffolding?

The main requirement established for the development of European Union product safety directives is to ensure a high level of safety for users. This research aims to analyze whether Europe needs a product safety directive for scaffolding and identify the main factors to be defined in public policies on the use of standardized scaffolding in the absence of such a directive. The principal types of scaffolding were reviewed, along with European regulations, and their risk levels. Finally, a qualitative study using a panel of experts was conducted to determine the differences between types of scaffolding and whether the enactment of such a directive would be justified. Key results were that the risk level associated with scaffolding positioned it third or fourth between material agents more hazardous in relation to falls from height. There is no existing product safety directive for scaffolding, despite the fact that there are directives for other products less dangerous than or as dangerous as scaffolding. However, there are noncompulsory standards EN 12810-1-2 and EN 12811-1-2-3-4 for scaffolding, which would form the basis of the essential requirements contained in a directive if it were created. The experts highlighted significant differences between “standardized” and “nonstandardized” scaffolding, with higher safety levels and productivity, and better maintenance, inspection, assembly, and dismantling associated with the former, and lower costs with the latter. Thus, they found that the enacting of an EU product safety directive for scaffolding would be justifiable, and in its absence supported the promotion of the use of standardized scaffolding