Application of Accident Information to Safety Promotion—Case Industrial Maintenance

Abstract

Maintenance operations are conducted basically in all industrial environments. The risks vary greatly, depending on the operating environment and conditions, and on the task involved. This article summarizes some studies that have focused on industrial maintenance. The studies were conducted during the years 2004–2014. The main materials have been gathered from various accident databases, and they are supported with risk assessments carried out in companies. A major study has focused on re-analysing fatal and severe non-fatal accidents that have occurred during industrial maintenance work in Finland. In addition, the database of the Finnish accident insurance institutions was revised in order to gain an understanding about less serious accidents, which occur in industrial maintenance. Some typical risk factors are poor system maintainability, defective task safety planning and shortcomings in customer cooperation. Risk assessment and management should pay attention to varying tasks and operating environments, as well as to careful task safety planning. This article summarizes some basic viewpoints about accident sources and risk assessment in industrial maintenance.