application of tripod-beta approach and map – overlaying technique to analyze occupational fatal accidents in a chemical industry in iran

the undesirable effects and consequences of occupational fatal accidents have placed a great emphasis on applying preventive measures. this study was aimed to analyze and specify the latent causes of occupational fatal accidents in exir chemical plant, urmia - iran in 2008-2009. the analytical tripod-beta method was used. a geographic information system (gis) was then used to determine a list of the most significant preconditions and active failures contributing to occupational fatal accidents. the total number of recognized preconditions and latent failures were 572 and 852 respectively. the most frequent preconditions and latent failures were determined by overlaying the coded sheets on each other. results of the study showed that promoting and enhancement of the company's safety culture, a carrot and stick motivation policy accompanied by comprehensive assessments to prioritize safety training programs, were among recommended preventive actions to control and reduce fatal accidents.