FACTORS GIVING
RISE TO EMPLOYEE
INCIDENTS
Dan O’Donovan
Senior Health and Safety Officer
Waterford County Council
Background
• 17 Local Authority employees killed at work since
2000
• 11 deaths related to vehicles
• 4 of these deaths caused by third parties
• No obvious common trigger to other deaths
• 15 of the employees killed were in the age range
50 - 63
• At least 4 contractors killed whilst undertaking
works for Local Authorities
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Root Causes
• Factors that you control completely
• Factors that you control partially
• Factors outside of your control
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Complete Control – Work Environment
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Management structure
Management training
Management experience
Management accountability
Communications
Succession planning
Attitude
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Complete Control – Work Environment
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Detailed planning of works
Crew size
Crew training and experience
Attitude
Work load
Existing injuries
Supervision and inspection
Delegation of authority to act
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Complete Control – Plant & Equipment /
Materials / PPE
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Availability
Suitability
Specification
Certification
Condition
Correct use
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Complete Control – Weather
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Plan works for prevailing conditions
Constant review in changing conditions
Be prepared to stop works
Delegation of authority to stop works
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Complete Control – Issues Arising During
Inspection and Incident Investigation
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All must be properly investigated
Physical factors seem straightforward
Physical factors often include human factors
Human factors problematic
• Errors – unintentional actions
• Mistakes – errors in judgment or decision making
• Violations – intentional contraventions
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Complete Control – Issues Arising During
Inspection and Incident Investigation
• Self interest can obstruct investigation
• Must accurately determine type and root cause of
human factors
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Training
Process
Documentation
Equipment
Supervision
• Appropriate corrective actions
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Partial Control – Members of the Public
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Close to 100% control
Traffic management
Site, compound and plant security
Plan for known weather / sun conditions
Constant review based on observed effectiveness
of controls
• Delegation of authority to act
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Outside of Your Control
None
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Summary
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Knowledge, training and experience at all levels
Human factors
Delegation of authority to act
Workforce and works planning
Plant, equipment and materials
Supervision and inspection
Investigation
Corrective actions
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