Development of safety incident coding systems through improving coding reliability

Nikki S Olsen; Ann M Williamson

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.015

Development of safety incident coding systems through improving coding reliability

Appl Ergon. 2015 Nov:51:152-62. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.015. Epub 2015 May 21.

Authors

Nikki S Olsen¹, Ann M Williamson²

Affiliations

¹ School of Aviation, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: Nikki.Olsen@defence.gov.au.
² School of Aviation, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

PMID: 26154213
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.015

Abstract

This paper reviews classification theory sources to develop five research questions concerning factors associated with incident coding system development and use and how these factors affect coding reliability. Firstly, a method was developed to enable the comparison of reliability results obtained using different methods. Second, a statistical and qualitative review of reliability studies was conducted to investigate the influence of the identified factors on the reliability of incident coding systems. As a result several factors were found to have a statistically significant effect on reliability. Four recommendations for system development and use are provided to assist researchers in improving the reliability of incident coding systems in high hazard industries.

Keywords: Incident classification; Reliability; Safety management system.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Review

MeSH terms

Accidents, Occupational / classification*
Data Collection / standards*
Humans
Reproducibility of Results
Risk Management / methods*
Risk Management / standards
Safety Management / methods*
Safety Management / standards