Cakan, H; Kazan, E and Usmen, M (2014) Investigation of factors contributing to fatal and non-fatal roofer fall accidents. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 10(4), pp. 300-317. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
Roofers continue to suffer frequent fall-related injuries and fatalities. The objectives of this research were (a) identifying the factors affecting roofer fall accidents; (b) investigating the frequency distributions of these factors; (c) examining the relationships between the factors; and (d) developing a statistical model for fatal and nonfatal fall outcomes. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) accident data was analyzed using categorical variables. After establishing data demographics, cross-tabulation analysis was performed to determine factor relationships, and logistic regression modeling was done to predict accident outcomes using degree of injury as a dependent variable and the significant factors from cross-tabulation as independent variables. It was found that roofers most frequently experienced falls while working in smaller alteration/rehabilitation projects and at heights below 20 feet. Unguarded/improperly secured platforms, walkways, openings, edges and ladders, misjudgment of hazardous situation, and improper choice of equipment/process came out to be significant contributing factors. It was observed that the odds of fatality decreased when roofers were provided OSHA-compliant fall protection systems; used these systems; and received fall protection training per OSHA requirements. The model developed and validated in this study successfully predicted the fall accident outcomes in terms of fatality and nonfatal injury.;Roofers continue to suffer frequent fall-related injuries and fatalities. The objectives of this research were (a) identifying the factors affecting roofer fall accidents; (b) investigating the frequency distributions of these factors; (c) examining the relationships between the factors; and (d) developing a statistical model for fatal and nonfatal fall outcomes. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) accident data was analyzed using categorical variables. After establishing data demographics, cross-tabulation analysis was performed to determine factor relationships, and logistic regression modeling was done to predict accident outcomes using degree of injury as a dependent variable and the significant factors from cross-tabulation as independent variables. It was found that roofers most frequently experienced falls while working in smaller alteration/rehabilitation projects and at heights below 20 feet. Unguarded/improperly secured platforms, walkways, openings, edges and ladders, misjudgment of hazardous situation, and improper choice of equipment/process came out to be significant contributing factors. It was observed that the odds of fatality decreased when roofers were provided OSHA-compliant fall protection systems; used these systems; and received fall protection training per OSHA requirements. The model developed and validated in this study successfully predicted the fall accident outcomes in terms of fatality and nonfatal injury.;
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | project management; safety management; quantitative research; roofer falls; falls; fatalities; mathematical models; discriminant analysis; occupational accidents; risk factors |
| Index terms: | investigation, occupational accident, risk factor, project management, roofer, demographics, fatalities, statistical model, occupational safety, modelling, platform, logistic regression, quantitative research, discriminant analysis, frequency distribution, falls, independent variable, dependent variable, safety management, rehabilitation project, mathematical model, injury |
| Subjects: | mathematical modelling, data collection methods, practitioner, analytical methods, data science, data analysis and analytics, health risk and incident analysis, digital design, project management theory and practice, health conditions and diseases, demography, occupational health and safety management, environmental hazards, statistical analysis |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Digital Applications, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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