Hwan Kim1,2, John Lewko3, Enzo Garritano4, Bhanu Sharma5, Joel Moody6, Angela Colantonio5,7,8. 1. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, South Korea. 2. International Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, South Korea. 3. Centre for Research in Human Development, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada. 4. Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, Mississauga, ON, Canada. 5. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. 6. Electrical Safety Authority, ON, Canada. 7. Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Science Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 8. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Electrical contact is a leading cause of occupational fatality in the construction industry. However, research on the factors that contribute to electricity-related fatality in construction is limited. OBJECTIVES: To characterize, using an adapted Haddon's Matrix, the factors that contribute to electricity-related occupational fatalities in the construction industry in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Coroner's data on occupational electricity-related fatalities between 1997-2007 in the construction industry were acquired from the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Using an adapted Haddon's Matrix, we characterized worker, agent, and environmental characteristics of electricity-related occupational fatalities in the province through a narrative text analysis. RESULTS: Electrical contact was responsible for 15% of all occupational fatalities among construction workers in Ontario. Factors associated with said occupational fatalities included direct contact with electrical sources, lower voltage sources, and working outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a profile of electricity-related occupational fatalities among construction workers in Ontario, and can be used to inform safety regulations.
BACKGROUND: Electrical contact is a leading cause of occupational fatality in the construction industry. However, research on the factors that contribute to electricity-related fatality in construction is limited. OBJECTIVES: To characterize, using an adapted Haddon's Matrix, the factors that contribute to electricity-related occupational fatalities in the construction industry in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Coroner's data on occupational electricity-related fatalities between 1997-2007 in the construction industry were acquired from the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Using an adapted Haddon's Matrix, we characterized worker, agent, and environmental characteristics of electricity-related occupational fatalities in the province through a narrative text analysis. RESULTS: Electrical contact was responsible for 15% of all occupational fatalities among construction workers in Ontario. Factors associated with said occupational fatalities included direct contact with electrical sources, lower voltage sources, and working outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a profile of electricity-related occupational fatalities among construction workers in Ontario, and can be used to inform safety regulations.
Entities:
Keywords:
Haddon’s Matrix; Working outdoors; environmental factors