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Abstract
For an accident--an event that leads to an unintentional injury--to occur several factors must concur. Effective accident prevention is achieved by finding a common occurring factor, in a type of accidents, that can be changed in an acceptable way. Qualities for measures that increase the possibility of acceptance are, for example, simplicity, permanency, effectivity and low-cost. The aim of this dissertation is to show an effective way to prevent accidents in the construction industry with technological measures. The dissertation has five basic reports as examples of suitable measures: (1) Development of guard railings/work bridge, (2) Alternatives to and development of portable ladders, (3) Design of permanent roof safety devices, (4) Jamming safety device on hammerdrills/drilling machines, and (5) Push-off toothing on bow-saws. Accident prevention can be achieved by decreasing the time of risk exposure, by safer work methods and by safer technical design. In these ways the build-up and effects of injurious energy are reduced. It is very important that technical changes have positive effects besides increased safety, e.g. increased effectivity, better ergonomical conditions and increased profit. A technical change of a common product which is often involved in accidents and has to be replaced, e.g. hammerdrills and ladders, shows a great and rapid effect on the number of accidents, independent of whether the relative accident rate is low or high. A technical measure can sometimes be part of a change in the work method. To achieve safer work methods without technical changes education and information to the user or organizational changes are necessary. Organizational changes can form the basis for suitable education and instructions to the user. They can also lead to the user himself choosing safer methods and techniques. They can also lead to a clearer division of responsibility. Organizational changes are probably a precondition for changes other than technical ones, to have permanent positive effects. In cases of difficulty in producing technical changes attractive for the user, or to realize them, laws and standards can be necessary. These need control of the accomplishment and sanctions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)