Taxonomic analysis of Chinese power transmission and distribution industry accidents based on hazard components

• 324 Power transmission and distribution accidents were collected and accidents scenarios were rebuilt.
• The three components of hazard were discussed and a revised hazard–mishap actuation was modeled.
• Taxon structures of 324 PTAD accidents were developed according to the three components of hazard and hazard type respectively.
• Taxon structures depict the characters of power grid accidents and provide accident prevention countermeasures.

Power transmission and distribution were critical components for the development of Chinese economy. As in all sectors of the economy it was important to reduce the accidents rate as low as possible. This research adapted accident taxonomic analysis to identify the main factors associated with accidents and then provided accident prevention countermeasures in the industry in China. Because of lack of systematic power transmission and distribution accident information in China, 324 power grid accidents from 1961 to 2008 were collected through a wide range of sources and classified according to hazard elements which were target and threat, hazard element and initiating mechanism respectively and then the initiating mechanisms were further classified by hazard types. Through taxon structures the direct and indirect factors were identified in the industry accidents and strategies of accident prevention were recommended based on them. The taxon structures also can be further developed to form tailored safety checklist for the front workers.