Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Work accident, death and fatalism

This article proposes a discussion about the fatalistic posture adopted when a worker faces work accidents and death. It has its empirical support on the representation which injured construction workers create about these events. The study was based on interviews made with six workers who were unable to return to work due to the disability caused by accidents. The accomplished analysis intends to show that the individuals create explanations and justifications based on a fatalistic perspective. This way of thinking enables them to accept and to live with the fear of accidents and death, or with the pain caused by a loss. It also argues that the fatalistic attitude cannot be modified only by understanding that accidents and deaths that happen at the work environment are related to its precarious conditions. In order to change this attitude, it would be necessary to experience new conditions of life and work, so that the workers would be able to create a new conception of the world and of life.

death; accident; fatalism; work


Associação Brasileira de Psicologia Social Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (CFCH), Av. da Arquitetura S/N - 7º Andar - Cidade Universitária, Recife - PE - CEP: 50740-550 - Belo Horizonte - MG - Brazil
E-mail: revistapsisoc@gmail.com