Volume 4, Issue 3 (August 2025)                   Health Science Monitor 2025, 4(3): 196-206 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Ghahramani A, Samadi Z, Hajaghazadeh M, Rahimi B. Exploring the Root Causes of Accidents in a Gas Company: A Qualitative Content Analysis Approach. Health Science Monitor 2025; 4 (3) :196-206
URL: http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-237-en.html
Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract:   (112 Views)
Background Multiple factors contribute to the occurrence of workplace accidents; however, these factors may differ based on the specific characteristics of operational processes and the workforce employed across various workplaces. Furthermore, a superficial investigation of accident causes often fails to identify the underlying factors that lead to their occurrence accurately. Therefore, this study was undertaken to systematically examine the factors contributing to accidents within a gas company.
Methods The necessary data were collected using the analysis of existing accident documentation, direct observation, and semi-structured individual interviews. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data.
Results Twelve key factors, including competence and qualifications, lack of safety resources, communication, risk perception, psychological factors, safety culture, supervision and safety management, responsibility, safety organization, training, management commitment, and work pressure, were consistently identified across all three data collection methods. These factors were subsequently classified into three categories: individual, occupational, and organizational factors.
Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance of implementing organizational, occupational, and individual measures to reduce accident risks within the gas industry. Prioritizing managerial safety commitment, enhancing communication, providing structured training, implementing effective planning/supervision, allocating resources, and establishing clear safety roles can strengthen the safety culture and minimize accidents.
Full-Text [PDF 451 kb]   (50 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Occupational Health
Received: 2025/05/17 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2025/08/19

References
1. Wingate KC. Fatalities in oil and gas extraction database, an industry-specific worker fatality surveillance system-United States, 2014-2019. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2023; 72. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
2. Bianchini A, Guzzini A, Pellegrini M, Saccani C. Natural gas distribution system: A statistical analysis of accidents data. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 2018; 168: 24-38. [DOI]
3. Shin M, Lee H-S, Park M, Moon M, Han S. A system dynamics approach for modeling construction workers' safety attitudes and behaviors. Accid Anal Prev. 2014; 68: 95-105. [DOI] [PMID]
4. Heinrich H, Petersen D, Roos N. In dustrial accident prevention: a safety management approach. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill; 1980. [Google Scholar]
5. Choudhry RM, Fang D. Why operatives engage in unsafe work behavior: Investigating factors on construction sites. Saf Sci. 2008; 46(4): 566-584. [DOI]
6. Mullins-Jaime C, Case S, Wachter JK. An integrated approach for understanding, correcting & preventing unsafe acts. Professional Safety. 2021; 66(02): 20-27. [Google Scholar]
7. Chi S, Han S, Kim DY. Relationship between unsafe working conditions and workers' behavior and impact of working conditions on injury severity in US construction industry. J Constr Eng Manag. 2013; 139(7): 826-838. [DOI]
8. Khanzode VV, Maiti J, Ray PK. Occupational injury and accident research: A comprehensive review. Saf Sci. 2012; 50(5): 1355-1367. [DOI]
9. Sneddon A, Mearns K, Flin R. Stress, fatigue, situation awareness and safety in offshore drilling crews. Saf Sci. 2013; 56: 80-88. [DOI]
10. Islam KS, Hossain A, Khan MR, Islam MT. The Role Of Age In Shaping Risk-Taking Behaviors And Safety Awareness In The Manufacturing Sector. American Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering Solutions. 2025; 1(01): 98-121. [DOI]
11. Turner N, Deng C, Granger S, Wingate TG, Shafqat R, Dueck PM. Young workers and safety: A critical review and future research agenda. J Safety Res. 2022; 83: 79-95. [DOI] [PMID]
12. MacDonald W. The impact of job demands and workload on stress and fatigue. Aust Psychol. 2003; 38(2): 102-117. [DOI]
13. Dembe AE, Erickson JB, Delbos RG, Banks SM. The impact of overtime and long work hours on occupational injuries and illnesses: new evidence from the United States. Occup Environ Med. 2005; 62(9): 588-597. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
14. Mock C, Smith K, Kobusingye O, Nugent R, Abdalla S. Occupation and risk for injuries. Injury Prevention and Environmental Health 3rd ed The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. 2017: 97. [Google Scholar]
15. Ghahramani A, Abbasi A. Assessment of the relationship between occupational accident experience and personal and job factors in tar paper manufacturing companies. Iran Occupational Health. 2016; 12(9):48-57. [Google Scholar]
16. Ghahramani A, Amirbahmani A. A study of the causes of occupational accidents in manufacturing companies. Arch Trauma Res. 2021; 10(2): 64-72. [DOI]
17. Ghahramani A, Amirbahmani A. A qualitative investigation to discover causes of occupational injuries and preventive countermeasures in manufacturing companies. Heliyon. 2022; 8(9): e10501. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
18. Parizadeh S, Arshadi N. The Moderating Role of Social Support on the Relationship of Job Insecurity, Role Ambiguity, & Role Overload with Safe Behaviors in Operational Employees of an Industrial Company in Ahwaz. Journal of Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention. 2021; 9(2): 112-123. [Google Scholar]
19. Gordon RP. The contribution of human factors to accidents in the offshore oil industry. Reliab Eng Syst Saf. 1998; 61(1-2): 95-108. [DOI]
20. Ghahramani A, Panahi S, Ebrahimi M, Hajaghazadeh M. Safety climate, safety behavior, injury experience, and musculoskeletal disorders among Iranian manufacturing employees: A structural equation modeling study. Work. 2024; 80(3): 1066-75. [DOI] [PMID]
21. Yoon SJ, Lin HK, Chen G, Yi S, Choi J, Rui Z. Effect of occupational health and safety management system on work-related accident rate and differences of occupational health and safety management system awareness between managers in South Korea's construction industry. Saf Health Work. 2013; 4(4): 201-209. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
22. Ghahramani A, Summala H. A study of the effect of OHSAS 18001 on the occupational injury rate in Iran. Inj Control Saf Promot. 2017; 24(1): 78-83. [DOI] [PMID]
23. Ghahramani A, Salminen S. Evaluating effectiveness of OHSAS 18001 on safety performance in manufacturing companies in Iran. Saf Sci. 2019; 112: 206-212. [DOI]
24. Ghahramani A. Diagnosis of poor safety culture as a major shortcoming in OHSAS 18001-certified companies. Ind Health. 2017; 55(2): 138-148. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
25. Yanar B, Lay M, Smith PM. The interplay between supervisor safety support and occupational health and safety vulnerability on work injury. Safety and health at work. 2019; 10(2): 172-179. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
26. Shohet IM, Luzi M, Tarshish M. Optimal allocation of resources in construction safety: Analytical-empirical model. Saf Sci. 2018; 104: 231-238. [DOI]
27. Nuij C, Van Ballegooijen W, De Beurs D, Juniar D, Erlangsen A, Portzky G, et al. Safety planning-type interventions for suicide prevention: meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2021; 219(2): 419-426. [DOI] [PMID]
28. Rodrigues F, Baptista JS, Pinto D. BIM approach in construction safety-A case study on preventing falls from height. Buildings. 2022; 12(1): 73. [DOI]
29. Henriqson É, Schuler B, van Winsen R, Dekker SW. The constitution and effects of safety culture as an object in the discourse of accident prevention: A Foucauldian approach. Saf Sci. 2014; 70: 465-476. [DOI]
30. Bautista-Bernal I, Quintana-García C, Marchante-Lara M. Safety culture, safety performance and financial performance. A longitudinal study. Saf Sci. 2024; 172: 106409. [DOI]
31. Tappura S, Jääskeläinen A, Pirhonen J. Creation of satisfactory safety culture by developing its key dimensions. Saf Sci. 2022; 154: 105849. [DOI]
32. Feng X, Acord L, Cheng Y-J, Zeng J, Song JP. The relationship between management safety commitment and patient safety culture. Int Nurs Rev. 2011; 58(2): 249-254. [DOI] [PMID]
33. Ghahramani A. Factors that influence the maintenance and improvement of OHSAS 18001 in adopting companies: A qualitative study. J Clean Prod. 2016; 137: 283-290. [DOI]
34. Abdalla S, Apramian SS, Cantley LF, Cullen MR. Occupation and risk for injuries. 2018. [DOI] [PMID]
35. Dodoo JE, Al-Samarraie H. A systematic review of factors leading to occupational injuries and fatalities. Journal of Public Health. 2023; 31(1): 99-113. [DOI]
36. Rickard LN. Perception of risk and the attribution of responsibility for accidents. Risk Anal. 2014; 34(3): 514-528. [DOI] [PMID]
37. Ghahramani A, Khalkhali HR. Development and validation of a safety climate scale for manufacturing industry. Saf Health Work. 2015; 6(2): 97-103. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
38. Stuart A. A blended learning approach to safety training: Student experiences of safe work practices and safety culture. Saf Sci. 2014; 62: 409-417. [DOI]
39. Ghahramani A, Ebrahimi M, Hajaghazadeh M. Development and psychometric evaluation of an occupational health and safety performance tool for manufacturing companies. Heliyon. 2023; 9(6): e17343. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
40. Ghahramani A, Fazli B. An investigation of safety attitude in a number of manufacturing companies in Urmia. Journal of Health & Safety at Work. 2017; 6(4):4. [Google Scholar]
41. Ghahramani A, Panahi S, Hajaghazadeh M. The relation between safety climate and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among employees in manufacturing companies in Urmia. Health and Development Journal. 2021; 10(4): 262-270. [Google Scholar]
42. Pordanjani TR, Ebrahimi AM. Safety motivation and work pressure as predictors of occupational accidents in the petrochemical industry. Health Scope. 2015; 4(4): 33. [DOI]
43. Probst TM, Graso M. Pressure to produce= pressure to reduce accident reporting? Accid Anal Prev. 2013; 59: 580-587. [DOI] [PMID]
44. Vinodkumar M, Bhasi M. Safety management practices and safety behaviour: Assessing the mediating role of safety knowledge and motivation. Accid Anal Prev. 2010; 42(6): 2082-2093. [DOI] [PMID]
45. Xia N, Wang X, Griffin MA, Wu C, Liu B. Do we see how they perceive risk? An integrated analysis of risk perception and its effect on workplace safety behavior. Accid Anal Prev. 2017; 106: 234-242. [DOI] [PMID]
46. Priolo G, Vignoli M, Nielsen K. Risk perception and safety behaviors in high-risk workers: A systematic literature review. Saf Sci. 2025; 186: 106811. [DOI]
47. Day AJ, Brasher K, Bridger RS. Accident proneness revisited: The role of psychological stress and cognitive failure. Accid Anal Prev. 2012; 49: 532-535. [DOI] [PMID]
48. De Boer JC, Lok A, van't Verlaat E, Duivenvoorden HJ, Bakker AB, Smit BJ. Work-related critical incidents in hospital-based health care providers and the risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, and depression: a meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2011; 73(2): 316-326. [DOI] [PMID] []

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2025 All Rights Reserved | Health Science Monitor

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb