Citation

Carter N, Menckel E. J. Occup. Accid. 1985; 7(1): 41-64.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is assumed that knowledge about events producing the experience of imminent injury or injuries that do not result in an absence from work (near-accidents) contributes to the prevention of events producing personal injury or death (accidents). Swedish research on the development of a methodology for the study of near-accidents is reviewed. Actively interviewing employees about near-accidents in which they have been involved produces more information about risks than would otherwise be available, but the relationship between the events described to those producing more serious injuries is found to be ambiguous. The interviewing procedure apparently prompts suggestions for corrective actions but there is little evidence of a change in safety activities or safety consciousness and no evidence of a change in accident frequency following a near-accident reporting period. Difficulties in studying phenomena supposedly related to accidents are discussed and suggestions for improved evaluations are made.