SAFETY MANAGEMENT

1. THEORIES OF ACCIDENT CAUSATION

DOMINO THEORY or Axioms of Industrial Safety Herbert W. Heinrich Travelers Insurance Company In the late 1920s, studying reports of 75,000 workplace accidents, he concluded the following: 88% of accidents are caused by unsafe acts committed by fellow workers, 10% of accidents are caused by unsafe conditions and 2% of accidents are unavoidable Contemporary research considers domino theory as outdated however todays more widely accepted theories can be traced back to Heinrichs study. HUMAN FACTORS THEORY Attributes accidents to a chain of events ultimately caused by human error. Consists of three broad factors that lead to human error: Overload Inappropriate Response Inappropriate Activities

ACCIDENT / INCIDENT THEORY Extension of human factors theory Developed by Dan Petersen New elements: Ergonomic traps, The decision to err and Systems failures Some of the reasons why systems may fail: Management does not establish a comprehensive safety policy Responsibility and authority with regard to safety are not clearly defined Safety procedures, such as measurement, inspection, correction, and investigation, are ignored or given insufficient attention. Employees do not receive proper orientation Employees are not given sufficient safety training

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL THEORY Epidemiology: Study of causal relationships between environmental factors and disease. Epidemiological theory holds that the models used for studying and determining these relationships can also be used to study casual relationships between environmental factors and accidents. Components: Predisposition Characteristics and Situational Characteristics

SYSTEMS THEORY System a group of regularly interacting and interrelated components that together form a unified whole. An accident may occur as a system which is composed of: Person, Machine, and Environment The likelihood of an accident to occur is determined by how these components interact. Example: A worker who temporarily replaces an experienced crane operator increases the probability of an accident. COMBINATION THEORY

Often the cause of an accident cannot be adequately described by one theory. Differences between the theory and reality may exist. Combination theory helps explain the actual cause of an accident by combining different parts of several theories. BEHAVIORAL THEORY

2. TOP 10 WORK-RELATED ILLNESSES

The workplace should be a safe environment, with every precaution taken to avoid hazards and protect employees from harm. However, in many situations, that's not the case. Here are 10 work-related illnesses and injuries that may be worth claiming for. 1. Asbestosis - This is an illness caused by regular or heavy exposure to asbestos. It involves the lungs becoming scarred and can leave sufferers with a severe shortness of breath. 2. Mesothelioma - Another asbestos-related illness and a rare form of cancer that can take up to three decades to manifest. It attacks a protective linking in the body, which covers many vital organs. 3. Brain or head injury - A serious head injury can be caused by falling objects, when an employee trips over something or a number of other workplace hazards. It can leave people with physical, emotional, sensory or cognitive problems and medical care may be required. 4. Spinal injury - Another serious injury that can be caused in the workplace, especially through falling, can be injuries to the spine. The effects can be devastating and, from physiotherapy to ongoing medical care, the costs can be considerable. 5. Road traffic accident related injury - If you drive as part of your job, then you are on the road far more than other drivers. As such, the risk of an accident is likely to be higher. Injuries can range in seriousness, but can have long-term effects which can effect your future employment. 6. Industrial deafness - Described as the permanent loss of hearing by exposure to industrial noise in a worker's employment, this is a common disease in the workplace. Excessive noise can lead to tinnitus, a permanent illness that involves sounds like ringing or buzzing being heard in the ear without an external source.

7. Fatal accident - From collisions on the road to spinal and head injuries, the worst accidents have resulted in loss of life for many workers. If your loved one has died as the result of a workplace accident, then you may be entitled to make a claim. 8. Lung Cancer - A third asbestos exposure related illness is lung cancer, which is particularly common when combined with being a regular smoker. 9. Psychological problems - All accidents in the workplace can be traumatic and, as such, have the potential to lead to psychological effects that may also be eligible for a claim. 10. Amputations - These injuries are life changing and can have a far reaching impact on your mental and physical health. Often caused through an industrial accident, they can require many years of physio and counselling.

KEY ELEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Administrative procedure Facility design and operation Exposure control Education and training Occupational health care services Equipment performance