Applying data mining techniques to predict occupational accidents in the pulp and paper industry

Abstract

This research study proposes a classification system to identify and prevent occupational accidents in fiber storage warehouses at a pulp and paper facility. The present analysis is based on variables including pedestrian circulation, bobcat, trailer trucks, access, pedestrian circulation zones, and handrails. The proposed methodology defines and trains the system by using occupational accident event data collected at the facility. Three different predicting algorithms are used: J48 decision-making trees, Naive Bayes, and Bayesian nets. The results show that the J48 decision-making tree algorithm accurately identifies possible occupational accidents 90% of the time. It is concluded that identifying variables involved in occupational accidents allows generating a C4.5 (J48) decision-making tree that can be used as a support tool to prevent occupational accidents.