Trends of Occupational Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries in Electrical and Mechanical Specialty Contracting Sectors: Necessity for a Learning Investigation System

Abstract

The specialty electrical and mechanical contracting sectors provide crucial services and perform functions that are vital to the products delivered by the construction industry. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of fatal and nonfatal injuries in these specialty construction sectors over time as well as their effects on the level of safety performance in the industry. Accordingly, the most prevalent causes of fatal and nonfatal incidents in the mechanical and electrical sectors are investigated and presented as a longitudinal study from 2005 to 2015. The trends in occupational injuries in these sectors over this period of time are also compared with the trends reported in previous studies. The results from this study show that the direct causes of fatal and nonfatal injuries in the electrical and mechanical sectors differ from those found in the construction industry in general. In addition, the electrical and mechanical construction industry trends identified in this study are similar to previously reported trends. The similarities between the current findings and those of previous studies highlight real shortcomings in the safety management approaches within the construction industry. Based on the findings of this study, a learning investigation system has been recommended to improve safety performance among electrical and mechanical specialty contractors.