Characteristics of Occupational Accidents Caused by Inattentiveness

Abstract

Inattentiveness is a human trait that cannot be entirely avoided. However, even minor lapses can result in significant accidents. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of occupational accidents stemming from inattention. A total of 31,496 cases of occupational accidents occurring in 2017 were analyzed. Individual cases suspected to be caused by inattention were classified based on industry, accident type, age, context, type of inattention, and targets that should have been attended to. Consequently, we found that, first, fall accidents were largely attributed to inattention. Second, accidents caused by inattention tended to increase with age. Third, inattention on occupational accidents was caused mainly by the limitation of attentional capacity rather than that of sustained attention. Fourth, the context and target regarding occupational accidents caused by inattention were industry-specific. Accordingly, we emphasize the importance of understanding the characteristics of inattention in the workplace and propose safety measures based on the results.