Fatal fall incidents in the Indian construction industry: a case study analysis

Abstract

The fall from height fatal accident rate is higher than those of other accidents in the construction sector because of work-related causes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal factors of fatal fall incidents in the Indian construction industry. This study adopted a three-level accident causation model developed by Loughborough University researchers, aiming to identify immediate circumstances, shaping factors and originating influences in selected incidents. The accident cases were retrieved from police records and government documents. Accident data from 2019 to 2020 were studied, and specific emphasis was placed on fatal fall events. These events were subjected to content review to determine causal factors. In total, ten fatal fall cases were analysed in which immediate circumstances were established for all the cases that involved the use of unsafe methods of work. In some cases, shaping factors were identified as possible contributors to the events, such as the work process nature and team members’ communication. Originating influences could not be established in any of the cases. The study findings could give a more comprehensive qualitative insight into the causal factors of fatal fall accidents, which could alert stakeholders in developing safety programmes and providing effective fall preventive measures.