An Analysis of Residential Table Accidents

Abstract

The Second National Symposium on Human Factors in Consumer Products (Tufts University, May, 1980) included a paper by Colin Drury and Michael Brill concerning a technique of hazard analysis which they referred to as the “Scenario.” The present study reports an application of this technique to the number one furniture hazard in residential interiors: The Table. Prior to this investigation, the table seems to have received little in the way of systematic study.

Additionally, an analysis of the Scenario technique itself was performed. This examination showed that several alternative methods developed by the authors yielded richer, more varied, and perhaps, accurate information. This analysis calls into question the advisability of relying on the Scenario technique as the sole method of hazard analysis. The methodology for these alternative analytical forms is presented.