Expanded Method of Accident Analysis and Prevention – MAPAEX: an incident analysis in a railway company

Abstract

Introduction. Organizational and systemic analyses of workplace accidents do not include systematic methods of stimulating workers' learning and empowerment. Objective. The purpose of this study is to present an incident analysis in a railway passengers transport system using the Expanded Method of Workplace Accident Analysis and Prevention (MAPAEX). Methodology. MAPAEX is a collaborative tool that looks at the accident as an unexpected result of contradictions among the different elements of an activity system. A contradiction is a historically accumulated structural tension within and between activity systems. Identifying contradictions in the activity development subsidizes the elaboration of hypotheses about their origins. The proposition of solutions implies in modeling the activity system to overcome the identified contradictions and stimulate a movement towards a safer and more efficient production. Results. In this paper, a case study on the application of MAPAEX is presented with emphasis on the phases of analysis and solution modeling, which are centered on historicity, contradictions, and mediations in activity systems. The workers who participated analyzed an incident and understood the causes of the event in a systemic way, with emergence of their protagonism. With MAPAEX as a formative intervention, the researchers stimulated local actors to analyze problems consecutively, looking for innovative solutions through reconceptualization of the object/motive of the work activity. Discussion. This new accident analysis method combines activity ergonomics and activity theory. The multi-voice collaboration and a systemic approach develop expansive learning. Differences between this method and other systemic approaches are highlighted. Conclusions. MAPAEX showed to be a powerful tool for the development of analysis of workplace accidents, contributing with the innovation of concepts and methodological and practical procedures.

Keywords: Accident prevention, accident analysis, expansive learning.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002630