Citation

Conte JC, Rubio E, García AI, Cano F. Safety Sci. 2011; 49(2): 306-314.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssci.2010.09.005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article sets outs a generalized utility model for the diagnosis and prediction of accidents among the Spanish workforce. Based on observational data classified into a risk-injury contingency table (19 × 19), we have summarized the accident rate of all Spanish companies over an 11-year period (75,19,732 accidents). By using correspondence analysis a structure composed of three axes can be obtained, the combination of which identifies three separate risk and injury groups, which we use as a general Spanish pattern. The relationships of greater affinity or likelihood amongst the risks and injuries identified in the pattern facilitate decision-making at the risk-assessment stage in Spanish companies. Each risk-injury group has its own characteristics, interpretable within the phenomenological framework of the accident.

The main advantage of this model is its potential application to any other country and the feasibility of contrasting results from different countries. One limiting factor, however, is that the model currently lacks a common classification frame for risks and injuries which would enhance this contrast. The aim of this model is to automatically manage work-related accidents at a national level.