Causal factors and configuration paths for chemical occupational accidents
Grounded theory and fsQCA analysis of 154 cases in China
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22074779 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yuemeng Wang (0009-0002-7933-5841, Yangzhou University), Congju Zheng (Minzu University of China, corresponding author), Li Wang (0000-0002-3460-2080, China University of Mining and Technology) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1713532-1713532 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-12 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1713532 |
| PMID | 41601995 |
| OpenAlex | W7122371409 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 61 |
Background: Chemical occupational accidents remain a critical threat to worker safety in China, but existing research has often failed to capture the complex, nonlinear, multi-factor coupling mechanisms underlying accident causation. Methods: This mixed-methods study analyzed 154 Chinese chemical occupational accident cases by integrating grounded theory and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Employing the three-stage coding process of grounded theory (open, axial, and selective) to identify key causal factors, the study then used fsQCA to explore the configuration paths leading to both high- and low-severity accidents. Results and discussion: Grounded theory analysis identified 55 preliminary categories, 16 main categories, and 5 overarching core categories: safety culture, safety management system, safety capability, safety behavior, and worksite condition. These categories form the basis of the proposed Latent-Active Accident Causation Model (LA-ACM), which classifies them into latent conditions and active failures. FsQCA revealed four high-severity paths, namely safety culture-driven, safety management-dominated, safety capability-deficient, and multi-triggered, and two low-severity paths, including safety behavior-induced and worksite condition-triggered. Accordingly, a two-tier risk prevention framework was proposed: the "latent condition rectification layer" targets systemic gaps, and the "active failure interception layer" addresses on-site risks. This study underscores the theoretical implications for upstream safety governance and offers practical strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of chemical occupational accidents
Causation · China · Corporate governance · Grounded theory · Occupational safety and health · Qualitative comparative analysis · Safety culture · System safety · Occupational Health and Safety Research · Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research · Risk and Safety Analysis
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The pursuit of quality in grounded theory
A Robustness Test Protocol for Applied QCA
Applying and Assessing Large-N QCA
Assessing the Robustness of Crisp-set and Fuzzy-set QCA Results
Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Fuzzy-Sets
| Highly cited | No |
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