Researchers: Madeleine Bourdouxhe (IRSST), Danièle Champoux (IRSST)

This study examines 357 construction-site accidents which occurred on the Island of  Montréal between August 1984 and April 1985. The following data were collected during separate interviews with the victims and their foreman: the nature and consequences of the accident, the task engaged in at the time of the accident, the construction site, work and safety organization, the work setting, postural constraints, and occupational characteristics of the accident victim. The results provide an overview of the main characteristics of the accidents and lead to the identification of nine classes of accidents, for which typical accident scenarios describing predisposing circumstances and associated trades and tasks were developed.

The main safety hazards related to the task, trade, and phase of construction were identified, as were the target areas for prevention activities. The results indicate that the inherent risks of a trade or task are exacerbated by poor work organization (cluttered, poorly-maintained, or restricted work areas, deadline pressures, inadequate technical support). The highest severity and frequency of accidents were found among workers performing unskilled ancillary tasks. The analysis of accidents and planning of preventive measures in the context of work organization appears to be a promising strategy.

Research report

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