ORGANIZATIONAL-FACTORS INFLUENCING SERIOUS OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS

The aim of this article is to examine organizaational factors influenc ing serious occupational accidents. The study was part of a larger pro ject investigating 99 serious occupational accidents in southern Finla nd. A workplace analysis and an accident analysis were done at acciden t sites. In connection with this investigation, 73 victims, 91 foremen , and 83 co-workers were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the need to save time, tight schedules, and a lack of caution had a greater influence on accidents than did the fore men, co-workers, customers, professional pride, curiosity, or the wage system. Big companies had the lowest risk of serious occupational acc idents. Accident risk was significantly greater for subcontractors tha n for main contractors.