Work Accidents from the Perspective of Workers: A Case Study in the Footwear Industry (Rs, Brazil)

This research aimed to understand the perception of operators, supervisors, and managers on the causes of work accidents, risk, danger, and human error. In addition, it sought to identify convergent and divergent issues among workers at different positions and functions. We used the case study method with qualitative data analysis, in a footwear company located at Vale do Paranhana (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Although human error is usually considered the cause of work accidents, results showed that there are problems in both the work process and work organization. These impose an accelerated pace dictated by conveyors that does not always allow proper care in order to prevent accidents. Other causes of accidents mentioned are the lack of safety training and the configuration of machines and equipment that allow for failures, errors, incidents, and accidents.