Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Different deficiencies contribute to the occurrence of accidents or safety incidents, so detecting, analysing and modifying them will be decreasing worker’s unsafe conditions and behaviours that increase the probability of an accident. Studies indicate that, in a high percentage, 85% to 90% of accidents, the human factor is present.
Methods Retrospective analysis of work accidents reported by the Company was made in the period between 2003 and 2015. An accidentology analysis is presented in a natural gas transportation company with 956 employees with a 9,000 km pipeline. Different factors involved in the production of accidents were considered, caused by ‘failures in the security system’ of the organisation. These failures include: defects in the design of technology, preventive measures in operations to be carried out, worker protection, inadequate work planning and lack of risk controls, and specially associated with ‘human factors’.
Result During the period 2003–2015, there were 272 accidents, at a rate of 22.6 accidents per year. 51% of accidents do not show unsafe conditions. Among the personal and organisational factors were involved in the accidents specially lack knowledge and/or lack of ability, deficiency in supervision and leadership, shortcomings in work procedures, lack of control in the use of tools or equipment.
Discussion It is often observed that the human factor (such as workers who are going through personal crises, partners, relatives, etc.) is often a fundamental variable for understanding accidents and designing preventive programs.