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Behavioral analysis of workers and job hazards in the high risk construction occupation of roofing.

Prather K; Crisera RA; Fidell S

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Contract 099-72-0121, 1975 Feb; :1-160

00118721

Behavioral and psychological factors associated with occupational accidents in the California roofing industry (SIC-1761) were investigated. Job safety analysis was performed, and accident data was obtained for 123 roofers. The subjects completed tests of sensory motor behavior, cognitive process, personality, attitudes, general life adjustment, and accuracy of danger or risk perception. Lack of experience was a significant contributing factor to accident incidence. The most common injury involved burns to the hands and fingers. Very few behavioral and personality differences were found between the 60 workers with low accident rates and the 63 with high accident rates. About 30 percent of the high accident rate roofers reported feelings of pressure at work to complete the job, compared to similar feelings among 10 percent of the low accident rate roofers. Most roofers felt that the foreman was the person most responsible for their safety on the job, but did not cite the foreman as a source of safe work practice education. A general lack of knowledge and understanding of accident risks was identified. Most of the roofers reported that major factors of the high industry accident rate included lack of equipment maintenance, lack of safety training, and lack of safety rule enforcement. The authors recommended collection of detailed accident statistics, studies of supervisory notes, human factors analysis of roofing jobs, and development of safety training and certification programs, safety manuals, and protective clothing and equipment.

NIOSH-Contract; Contract-099-72-0121; Accident-analysis; Behavioral-tests; Industrial-psychology; Roofers

19750201

Final Contract Report

Contract

1975

PB82-232422

A09

Contract-099-72-0121

1761

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

CA; OH

Theodore Barry and Associates, Los Angeles, California