Celeste Jacinto

Finding occupational accident patterns in the extractive industry using a systematic data mining approach

Abstract This paper deals with occupational accident patterns of in the Portuguese Extractive Industry. It constitutes a significant advance with relation to a previous study made in 2008, both in terms of methodology and extended knowledge on the patterns’ details. This work uses more recent data (2005–2007) and this time the identification of the “typical accident” shifts from a bivariate, to a multivariate pattern, for characterising more accurately the accident mechanisms. Instead of crossing only two variables (Deviation x Contact), the new methodology developed here uses data mining techniques to associate nine variables, through their categories, and to quantify the statistical cohesion of each pattern. The results confirmed the “typical accident” of the 2008 study, but went much further: it reveals three statistically significant patterns (the top-3 categories in frequency); moreover, each pattern includes now more variables (4–5 categories) and indicates their statistical cohesion. This approach allowed a more accurate vision of the reality, which is fundamental for risk management. The methodology is best suited for large groups, such as national Authorities, Insurers or Corporate Groups, to assist them planning target-oriented safety strategies. Not least importantly, researchers can apply the same algorithm to other study areas, as it is not restricted to accidents, neither to safety.

The Recording, Investigation and Analysis of Accidents at Work (RIAAT) process

Abstract This paper describes the Recording, Investigation and Analysis of Accidents at Work (Registo, Investigacao e Analise de Acidentes de Trabalho — RIAAT) process and illustrates its application to a real accident. The process constitutes a holistic approach to deal with occupational accident information; as such, it merges the several ‘bits’ and ‘parts’ of traditional approaches into a distinctive ‘single process’. The process covers the full cycle of accident information by recording the event and its main circumstances; carrying out an investigation and causal analysis in a multi-layered fashion; producing a plan of action; and setting out activities required for sharing information and promoting organisational learning. The process is contained in a standard form (the main instrument) and a small user’s manual. This procedure is intended for application in small and medium-sized enterprises, and the principal targeted users are occupational safety and health practitioners. The analytical framework includes an accident causation model, which is embedded in the form itself and facilitates application. The methodology for developing the process is based on empirical and theoretical foundations within three main categories: the identification of existing good practices; the legal requirements for employers; and a scientific background of accident modelling, inspired by leading researchers in the domain. The tool described here is now fully developed and its final version (available online in English and Portuguese) was adopted as standard procedure in a couple of organisations during the course of 2010. Some other organisations are currently using it on a trial basis. Future work will include some tailored studies to ascertain usefulness and applicability issues, as well as an inter-analyst validation study.

Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) performance of SMEs: A structured framework

This paper deals with the use OSH factors for the correct identification and prioritization of OSH interventions especially within the Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) context, by taking into account the relevant OSH-factors. However, this should not be done on a one-to-one basis, but rather through a meaningful group of connected factors, which together impact on the OSH performance and on the overall performance. On the basis of the above, this paper aims at identifying the OSH-related factors and to work them into a structured framework, using a Focus Group approach. This framework explains each factor on the basis of a set of sub-factors, and clusters the factors into areas of affinity, thus creating three different levels of detail. Finally, the areas of affinity are worked into a hierarchical structure. The hierarchical structure and the three levels of detail are the tools enabling a rational planning of the interventions.

Incorporation of EU Harmonized Classifications to Enhance Traditional Methods of Risk Analysis

This paper describes a risk assessment (RA) study focusing on the circumstances of occupational accidents in a Portuguese company of the “hotel, restaurant and catering” sector (HORECA). The aim was to modernize current practice by incorporating new features into traditional RA techniques; this new development gave particular attention to the integration of harmonized variables established by the Eurostat within the European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) classification system. The study consisted of two parts and it used a number of harmonized variables: (1) the characterization of the company’s “typical accident”, defined here as the most frequent type of accident (2011–2012 period), and (2) the analysis (and assessment) of occupational risks using the new procedure, i.e., the “enhanced methodology”. In the latter case, the idea was to run a trial test of the procedure’s application and usefulness, especially in terms of its ability to provide a clearer identification of “accident scenarios”. The results allowed mapping the relevant risk situations, in which “falls on the floor” are the prevalent type of accident (contact); this accident mode is associated with two categories of physical activity: carrying by hand/transporting a load, or ordinary movements (e.g.: walking, running, going up, going down, etc.). The most frequent injuries are dislocations, sprains and strains, or wounds and superficial injuries. The conclusions highlight the advantages of using European harmonized classifications with any kind of risk assessment methodology. This improved procedure is likely to produce comparable information (outputs), which can embrace both accidents at work and/or occupational diseases.

A review on models and practical methods for economic evaluation of Occupational Safety And Health (OSH)

The aim of this paper is to present a literature review on models and methods (tools) currently available for economic evaluations of OSH. The work methodology involved a search through international databases and science search-engines, as well as examining citations from other authors. This scrutiny allowed establishing the state of the art in this field. As a result, relevant features of current approaches are characterized here and some methodological limitations in this domain are briefly discussed; emphasis is put on the particular needs of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The main contribution of this review is that it constitutes an up-to-date platform from where to launch new developments and improvements in this research area.