Citation

Laflamme L, Cloutier E. Trav. Hum. 1991; 54(1): 43-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Presse Universitaires de France)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study deals with the characteristics and distribution of accident risks within a production process, that of the Quebec sawmill sector. It describes the main types of accidents that occur and their distribution from the standpoint of two levels of comparison : the wood processing phases and the types of machines when grouped according to their main function. It deals with 729 accidents that occured in 9 mills over a 2-year period. Ten typical accident profiles (scenarios) were identified. The first ones result from immediate production of wood dejamming activities. These scenarios are not randomly distributed within the process. The same is true for accidents that occur during maintenance of the work-place or during repair or maintenance of equipment. Finally, other accidents that mainly cause eye, back and lower limb injuries are more randomly distributed. The study led to recommendations for prevention associated with each type of accident. In the intrasectorial analysis of occupational accidents, the exploratory study reveals that the relative distribution of accidents throughout a process is not solely due to chance and that characteristics and circumstances can vary. It shows that the factors influencing accident occurence are directly interrelated and that they have both environmental and situational components. It also shows that more than one combination of factors can contribute to accident occurence.