Moving beyond the organizational ceiling: Do construction accident investigations align with systems thinking?

Matthew J I Woolley; Natassia Goode; Gemma J M Read; Paul M Salmon

doi:10.1002/hfm.20749

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Moving beyond the organizational ceiling: Do construction accident investigations align with systems thinking?

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Moving beyond the organizational ceiling: Do construction accident investigations align with systems thinking?

Matthew J I Woolley, Natassia Goode, Gemma J M Read and Paul M Salmon

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, Vol.28(6), pp.297-308

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20749

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Abstract

accident analysis

accident investigation

construction

contributory factors

corrective actions

countermeasures

safety

systems thinking

Serious accidents within the construction industry continue to represent an unacceptable global problem. The aim of this study was to consider the types of actors, factors, and relationships that are identified in construction investigations in a sample of Australian organizations. Based on a thematic analysis approach, we examined the actors, contributory factors, and corrective actions identified within 100 construction accident investigation reports. The extent to which these aligned with the principles of contemporary accident causation theory and the benefits associated with adopting a system-wide approach were then assessed. Overall, the results demonstrate that accident analysis in construction has not moved beyond a human error focus and does not presently identify multiple actors and contributory factors or the interactions between them. The findings of the study offer important implications for the industry and highlight the opportunity for the adoption of systems theory-based approaches to construction accident investigation and analysis.

Details

Title: Moving beyond the organizational ceiling: Do construction accident investigations align with systems thinking?
Authors: Matthew J I Woolley (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Natassia Goode (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Gemma J M Read (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Publication details: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, Vol.28(6), pp.297-308
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1002/hfm.20749
ISSN: 2157-4650; 1520-6564; 2157-4650
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; Faculty of Arts, Business and Law; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451430402621
Output Type: Journal article

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