What is an Accident?
An accident can be described as an undesired event, which results in physical harm and/or property damage. Contrary to popular belief, accidents do not simply happen but are the consequence of a series of events leading to an undesired event.
Reasons for Prevention
There are several reasons for wishing to avoid accidents that include:-
Legal reasons - If an accident occurs because you have not complied with your legal responsibilities then the possibility of formal action, including prosecution, being taken by the enforcing authority arises.
Economic reasons - Nearly all accidents have the potential to cost businesses money. This can range from damage to equipment or loss of productivity, to civil claims from employees injured whilst at work.
Moral reasons - Your employees have the right to expect that they will be safe whilst at work and you, as the employer, have a duty of care. It is now the general feeling that serious accidents whilst at work are not acceptable and indeed businesses where health and safety issues are well managed tend to have a higher staff morale.
The Causes
Accidents can be caused by several factors including immediate and primary causes. They are often grouped into unsafe acts and unsafe conditions and can include:
Unsafe Acts
- Leaving equipment in a dangerous condition
- Disconnecting safety devices such as guards
- Using defective equipment
- Failing to wear Personal Protective Equipment
- Failure to lift loads correctly
- Unauthorised servicing of equipment
- Working whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Unsafe Conditions
- Inadequate or missing guards
- Excessive noise
- Ineffective housekeeping
- Inadequate fire warning systems
- Fire hazards
- Inadequate lighting
- Working in environments that are too hot or too cold
- Exposure to radiation
Accident Prevention
Accident prevention can be achieved by putting in place control measures to reduce risk or by removing hazards that are potential accident ‘black-spots’. Influencing your workforce to work in safer ways can also play a vital role in reducing accidents, as can good health and safety training. These can all be described as management functions and need to be addressed through your company’s safety policy and a comprehensive risk assessment.
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