Predictive Tool for Estimating Accident Risk

Abstract

This paper presents a predictive tool that uses safety factors to estimate accident risk for processes commonly employed on construction sites. The tool is demonstrated in the context of the utility-trenching process. Based on expert surveys, preplanning, supervision, and training are identified as critical safety factors needed to predict accident risk when evaluating safety performance related to trenching operations. Preplanning has a greater impact on excavation tasks than supervision and training, while conversely, supervision and training are more important during the pipe installation phase of trenching operations.