Citation

Varonen U. Safety Sci. 1995; 21(1): 15-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine whether better safeguarding of lathes used for metal cutting had affected the number of occupational accidents occurring during metal lathe work. The study consisted of two parts: (i) safeguarding of lathes and analysis of lathe accidents which occurred throughout the entire province of Hame; and (ii) safeguarding of lathes and analysis of lathe accidents in 12 target enterprises. The safeguarding of lathes as well as the number and type of lathe accidents were studied from July 1, 1981 to June 30, 1982, and again from January 1 to December 31, 1986.The safeguarding of lathes improved during the periods studied, both in the whole province of Hame and in 12 target enterprises. In the province of Hame, the number of occupational accidents involving lathes decreased during the periods studied, both in the whole province of frequency fell from 81 to 46; this difference is statistically significant. In the 12 target enterprises, too, the number of occupational accidents decreased clearly, from 60 to 22. The accident frequency fell from 164 to 55, which is a statistically significant drop. The number of lathe accidents decreased as the safeguarding of lathes improved. The number of lathe accidents did not, however, correlate directly with the safeguarding of lathes. However, it seems obvious that safeguards have significant effect on lathe accidents, but safety cannot be merely guarantedd by safeguards. Attention must be paid also to safe working practices.