2. ACCIDENT PREVENTION
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According to International Labour Office statistics, 120 million
occupational accidents occur annually at workplaces worldwide. Of
these, 210,000 are fatal accidents.
Every day, more than 500 men or women do not come home because
they were killed by accidents at work.
These are dramatic numbers which draw fairly little public attention.
Considering the fact that accidents take a considerable economic toll
from nations, companies and individuals, accidents do not get much
publicity.
Accident prevention has been traditionally based on learning from
accidents and near accidents (near misses). By investigating every
incident, we learn about causes and can take actions towards mitigating
or removing the causes.
4. Analysis of Individual Accidents
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Analysis of individual accidents has two primary purposes:
First, it can be used to determine the cause of an accident and the specific work factors
that contributed to it. Following analysis, one can assess the extent to which the risk has
been recognized. One may also decide upon technical and organizational safety measures
and the degree to which more job experience might have diminished the risk.
Furthermore, a clearer view is gained of the possible actions that might have been taken
to avoid the risk, and the motivation that a worker must have to take these actions.
Second, one can gain knowledge which may be used for analyses of many similar
accidents at both the enterprise level and at more comprehensive (e.g., organization-wide
or national) levels. In this connection, it is important to assemble information such as the
following:
· the identity of the workplace and the work itself (that is, information relating to the
sector or the trade in which the workplace is positioned), and the work processes and the
technology that characterize the work
· the nature and the seriousness of the accident
· factors causing the accident, such as exposure sources, the way in which the accident
occurred and the specific working situation causing the accident
· general conditions at the workplace and the working situation (comprising the factors
mentioned in the foregoing paragraph).
5. Types of Analyses
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There are five primary types of analyses of accidents, each having a distinct
purpose:
· Analyses and identification of where and which types of accidents occur. The
goal is to determine the incidence of the injuries, as associated, for example, with
sectors, trade groups, enterprises, work processes and types of technology.
· Analyses with respect to monitoring developments in the incidence of
accidents. The purpose is to be warned of changes, both positive and negative.
Measuring the effect of preventive initiatives may be the result of such analyses,
and increases in new types of accidents within a specified area will constitute
warning of new risk elements.
· Analyses to prioritize initiatives that call for high degrees of risk
measurement, which in turn involve calculating the frequency and seriousness of
accidents. The goal is to establish a basis for prioritization to determine where it
is more important to carry out preventive measures than elsewhere.
· Analyses to determine how the accidents occurred and, especially, to
establish both direct and underlying causes. This information is then applied to
the selection, elaboration and implementation of concrete corrective action and
preventive initiatives.
· Analyses for elucidation of special areas which have otherwise attracted
attention (a sort of rediscovery or control analyses). Examples include analyses
of incidences of a special injury risk or the discovery of a hitherto unrecognized
risk identified in the course of examining an already known risk.
6. Phases of the Analysis
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Irrespective of the level from which an analysis starts,
it will usually have the following phases:
· identification of where the accidents occur at the
general level selected
· specification of where the accidents occur at a
more specific level within the general level
· determination of goals in view of the incidence (or
frequency) and seriousness of the accidents
· description of exposure sources or other harmful
factors—that is, the direct causes of damage and
injury
· examination of the underlying causal relation and
causal development.
8. THEORY OF ACCIDENT CAUSES
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The domino theory
According to W.H. Heinrich (1931), who developed the so-called domino theory, 88% of
all accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions and 2% by “acts
of God”. He proposed a “five-factor accident sequence” in which each factor would
actuate the next step in the manner of toppling dominoes lined up in a row. The sequence
of accident factors is as follows:
1. ancestry and social environment
2. worker fault
3. unsafe act together with mechanical and physical hazard
4. accident
5. damage or injury.
In the same way that the removal of a single domino in the row would interrupt the
sequence of toppling, Heinrich suggested that removal of one of the factors would
prevent the accident and resultant injury; with the key domino to be removed from the
sequence being number 3. Although Heinrich provided no data for his theory, it
nonetheless represents a useful point to start discussion and a foundation for future
research.
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Multiple causation theory
Multiple causation theory is an outgrowth of the domino theory, but
it postulates that for a single accident there may be many
contributory factors, causes and sub-causes, and that certain
combinations of these give rise to accidents. According to this
theory, the contributory factors can be grouped into the following
two categories:
Behavioural. This category includes factors pertaining to the worker,
such as improper attitude, lack of knowledge, lack of skills and
inadequate physical and mental condition.
Environmental. This category includes improper guarding of other
hazardous work elements and degradation of equipment through
use and unsafe procedures.
The major contribution of this theory is to bring out the fact that
rarely, if ever, is an accident the result of a single cause or act.
The pure chance theory
According to the pure chance theory, every one of any given set of
workers has an equal chance of being involved in an accident. It
further implies that there is no single discernible pattern of events
that leads to an accident. In this theory, all accidents are treated as
corresponding to Heinrich’s acts of God, and it is held that there
exist no interventions to prevent them.
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Biased liability theory
Biased liability theory is based on the view that once a
worker is involved in an accident, the chances of the
same worker becoming involved in future accidents are
either increased or decreased as compared to the rest of
workers. This theory contributes very little, if anything at
all, towards developing preventive actions for avoiding
accidents.
Accident proneness theory
Accident proneness theory maintains that within a given
set of workers, there exists a subset of workers who are
more liable to be involved in accidents. Researchers have
not been able to prove this theory conclusively because
most of the research work has been poorly conducted
and most of the findings are contradictory and
inconclusive. This theory is not generally accepted. It is
felt that if indeed this theory is supported by any empirical
evidence at all, it probably accounts for only a very low
proportion of accidents without any statistical significance.
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The energy transfer theory
Those who accept the energy transfer theory put forward the claim that a
worker incurs injury or equipment suffers damage through a change of
energy, and that for every change of energy there is a source, a path and a
receiver. This theory is useful for determining injury causation and evaluating
energy hazards and control methodology. Strategies can be developed
which are either preventive, limiting or ameliorating with respect to the
energy transfer.
Control of energy transfer at the source can be achieved by the following
means:
· elimination of the source
· changes made to the design or specification of elements of the work
station
· preventive maintenance.
The path of energy transfer can be modified by:
· enclosure of the path
· installation of barriers
· installation of absorbers
· positioning of isolators.
The receiver of energy transfer can be assisted by adopting the following
measures:
· limitation of exposure
· use of personal protective equipment.
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The “symptoms versus causes” theory
The “symptoms versus causes” theory is not so
much a theory as an admonition to be heeded if
accident causation is to be understood. Usually,
when investigating accidents, we tend to fasten upon
the obvious causes of the accident to the neglect of
the root causes. Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
are the symptoms—the proximate causes—and not
the root causes of the accident.
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DIRECT COSTS OF ACCIDENTS
Direct, or insured costs for accidents are usually
considered those costs covered by workers
compensation insurance and other minor medical costs
for the accident.
The company pays insurance to cover these costs.
The average direct costs depend on the nature of the
injury or illness
DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS OF
ACCIDENTS
14. INDIRECT COSTS OF ACCIDENTS
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Indirect costs are all the "uninsured" additional costs
associated with an accident.
What is important to realize is that indirect costs are
usually much greater than direct costs: From 2-10
times as expensive.
Another important point is that, unlike direct costs,
indirect costs are uninsured...they come right out of the
corporate pocketbook. These are the costs that can
drive a company into the red.
15. lists of examples for indirect or
uninsured costs:
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Lost production time.
Productive time lost by an injured employee.
Productive time lost by employees and supervisors helping
the accident victim.
Cleanup and startup of operations interrupted by an
accident.
Time to hire or train a worker to replace the injured worker
until they return to work.
Property damage. Time and cost for repair or replacement
of damaged equipment, materials or other property.
Cost of continuing all or part of the employee's wages, plus
compensation.
16. Safety Committee
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The primary purpose of a safety committee is to
bring workers and management together in a non
adversarial, cooperative effort to assist the
employer in making improvements to the safety
management system.
17. Safety Committee Role, Purpose, Processes, and
Function
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The role we play – Leader, counselor, coach, supervisor,
owner. Determines expectations and purpose.
Purpose - the intended outcome towards which a person or
group strives.
Process - the means and methods used to achieve the
intended purpose.
Function – the actual outcome. Determined by how well
we design and carry out processes, fulfill our purposes, and
play our role. An ineffective safety committee may
“function” to hurt rather than help the employer manage an
effective safety program.
18. Safety Committee Formation and Membership
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An effective safety committee should be composed of
an number of employer and employee representatives.
Employee representatives should be volunteers or
should be elected by their peers.
When agreed upon by workers and management, the
number of employee representatives on the committee
should be greater than the number of employer
representatives.
The chairperson should be elected by the committee
members
19. Ten Keys to an Effective Safety Committee
Meeting
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Meetings are well organized with expected and
unexpected activities
The committee clearly understands its role and
purpose
Action items, activities, projects are assigned to
members and completion dates set
The extent of safety committee authority is
understood
Establish ground rules that set standards of
behavior and procedure. - “committee culture”
20. Ten Keys to an Effective Safety
Committee Meeting
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Formal and informal communications are clear
and occur often
Members demonstrate a commitment to the
safety committee
Duties and responsibilities are delegated to
individual members
Member involvement and input is encouraged
and recognized
Members are educated and trained on their
duties and responsibilities
21. We do what we do because of consequences!
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Natural consequences. Hurt or health to the employee
and employer. Injury, accident costs, morale,
productivity. We are punished or rewarded by what we
do.
System consequences. Discipline or
recognition/reward. The employee and employer
experience these consequences from another person or
organization. Disciplinary action.
22. Positive consequences
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When effective, increase mandatory and
discretionary behavior.
Pay, benefits, recognition, reward
Employee performs to receive the consequence
Employee may perform far beyond minimum
standards
Focus is on excellence - success based
What do you hear from employees?
“If you report a hazard, I will make sure you’re
recognized.”
“If you prevent an injury or save money, you will
be rewarded.”
23. Negative consequences
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When effective, increases required behavior only.
Discipline, punishment,
Employee performs to avoid the consequence - fear based
Employee performs to minimum standard - just enough to
get by
This strategy can work if the goal is only compliance
What do you hear from employees?
“If you wear that eye protection, you won’t get injured.”
“If you comply with safety rules, you won’t be
disciplined.”
24. Safety Education and Training and
their importance
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Hazard Recognition
Certain conditions increase the risk of an accident and
resulting personal injuries or property damage.
These factors can be environmental, process-based, or
behavioural.
Occupational risks can be managed by consistently
inspecting work areas and addressing discovered hazards in
a timely manner.
26. Recognizing Environmental Hazards
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Physical workplace set-up (furniture, lay-out,
landscape)
Surrounding environment (air quality, lighting levels,
noise)
Contamination from chemical products or waste
27. Recognizing Process-Based Hazards
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Using unguarded equipment or tools inappropriate for the
task
Poor housekeeping within the work area
Inadequate work area protection (fire, electric shock,
exposure)
Poor ergonomic conditions or insufficient space for safe
work
Insufficient containment and protection in case of an
emergency
Lack of task-related safety training and supervision
28. Recognizing Behavioural Hazards
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Not wearing personal protective equipment
Acting complacent due to high familiarity with the task
Not maintaining focus, acting distracted and distracting
others
Rushing ahead, attempting to skip steps to finish the task
sooner
30. What Constitutes a Risk?
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One or more hazards persist in a favourable environment
under permissive circumstances
A lit butane torch is left unattended on a tabletop covered
with sawdust
Six boxes holding paper records are precariously stacked
on top of each other near a doorway
It is important to note that a person is not often necessary to
trigger an accident. A sparking faulty outlet can start a fire
if enough flammable materials are stored nearby in an
otherwise abandoned room
31. Can you identify the risks pictured
below?
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32. Injury and Illness Prevention Program
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Safety law designed to establish a system for the employer
and employees to identify, control, and reduce workplace
risks that lead to an injury or illness
Consists of eight elements for a streamlined and
comprehensive safety program
Responsibility
Compliance
Communication
Hazard Assessment
Accident / Exposure Investigation
Hazard Correction
Training and Instruction
Recordkeeping
33. Injury and Illness Prevention Program
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Responsibility for compliance to related safety program
standards is expected from both the employer and the
employees
Employer will conduct periodic inspections, identify and
rectify various hazards, communicate known information
about hazard controls to the employees, perform and
document investigations of occurred incidents, train the
employees on how to safely conduct their job assignments,
and maintain related records in case of a state or federal
audit.
Employees may be held accountable for violating safety
guidelines and instructions received during administered
training.
34. On-Campus Safety Inspections
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Safety inspections are regularly conducted and can focus
locally or on the scale of the whole campus; the goal is to
determine if any commonly recognized hazards are present,
or if any practices taking place that introduce new risks.
The safety inspection survey used at Otis College is
designed for a generalized oversight of local work areas by
the employees and their supervisors; additional site
inspection or a hazard assessment assistance is readily
available.
36. Closing Thoughts and Reminders
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Hazardous conditions in the workplace can be either
reported to class instructors, staff supervisors, or directly to
the Environmental Health and Safety Manager.
Employees may report observed risks or hazardous
conditions anonymously if they so choose.
In case a workplace incident or injury do take place, it is
imperative that the event is reported as soon as possible, in
order not to delay medical aid to any of the involved
individuals, as well as to ensure that appropriate corrective
measures are implemented in a timely manner before
another incident takes place under identical circumstances.
