Abstract
OBJECTIVESThroughout the world, mines are dangerous workplaces with high accident rates. According to the Statistical Center of Iran, the number of occupational accidents in Iranian mines has increased in recent years. This study investigated and analyzed the human and organizational deficiencies that influenced Iranian mining accidents.METHODSIn this study, the data associated with 305 mining accidents were analyzed using a systems analysis approach to identify critical deficiencies in organizational influences, unsafe supervision, preconditions for unsafe acts, and workers’ unsafe acts. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to model the interactions among these deficiencies.RESULTSOrganizational deficiencies had a direct positive effect on workers’ violations (path coefficient, 0.16) and workers’ errors (path coefficient, 0.23). The effect of unsafe supervision on workers’ violations and workers’ errors was also significant, with path coefficients of 0.14 and 0.20, respectively. Likewise, preconditions for unsafe acts had a significant effect on both workers’ violations (path coefficient, 0.16) and workers’ errors (path coefficient, 0.21). Moreover, organizational deficiencies had an indirect positive effect on workers’ unsafe acts, mediated by unsafe supervision and preconditions for unsafe acts. Among the variables examined in the current study, organizational influences had the strongest impact on workers’ unsafe acts.CONCLUSIONSOrganizational deficiencies were found to be the main cause of accidents in the mining sector, as they affected all other aspects of system safety. In order to prevent occupational accidents, organizational deficiencies should be modified first.
Highlights
The mining industry plays a crucial role in the economy of countries throughout the world
2018, Korean Society of Epidemiology safety in mines, accidents remain a threat to the sustainability of the mining industry, as they can lead to injuries and death among workers, property degradation, and damage to the environment [1]
Since human behavior in a complex socio-technical system such as the mining industry is affected by various organizational and environmental factors, it cannot be correct to consider human error to be the main cause of accidents [3]
Summary
The mining industry plays a crucial role in the economy of countries throughout the world. Several studies have investigated the main causes of accidents in the mining industry. Since human behavior in a complex socio-technical system such as the mining industry is affected by various organizational and environmental factors, it cannot be correct to consider human error to be the main cause of accidents [3]. Some studies have reported that inappropriate working conditions, such as rock falls and explosions, were the main causes of mining accidents [4,5]. A number of studies have identified inadequacies in management measures, such as a lack of proper training courses for workers and inade-
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