A systems approach to extraordinarily major coal mine accidents in China from 1997 to 2011: an application of the HFACS approach

Yingyu Zhang, Linlin Jing, Qingguo Bai, Tiezhong Liu, Yan Feng*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    42 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This study aimed to provide a greater understanding of the systemic factors involved in coal mine accidents and to examine the relationships between the contributing factors across all levels of the system. Ninety-four extraordinarily major coal mine accidents that occurred in China from 1997 to 2011 were analyzed using the human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS). The empirical results showed that the frequencies of unsafe behaviors, inadequate regulation and failure to correct hidden dangers were the highest among five levels, 14 categories and 48 indicators, respectively. The odds ratio technique was applied to quantitatively examine the relationships between contributing factors. Various statistically significant associations were discovered and should receive greater attention in future attempts to develop accident measures. In addition, several strategies concerning the main contributing factors and routes to failure are proposed to prevent accidents from reoccurring in an organization.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)181-193
    Number of pages13
    JournalInternational Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
    Volume25
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2019

    Keywords

    • accident analysis
    • extraordinarily major coal mine accidents
    • human factors analysis and classification system
    • systems approach

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