Principles of Accident 

Prevention
PRINCIPLES OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION: After understanding
the causation of accidents, it is obviously essential to understand the
principles and techniques of accident prevention. But before that we will
see the types of accidents first.

Types of Accidents:

1. First Aid: Injured Person is fit to work after giving First Aid
Treatment
2. Minor or Non-Reportable: Injured Person is disabled for 48 hours
or less after the Accident
3. Major or Reportable: Injured Person is disabled for more than 48
hours after the Accident
4. Fatal: Injured person dies after the Accident or as a consequence of
the Accident
5. Near miss: Incident occur without injury
6. Disaster: Incident where there is extensive loss of property & /or life

Fundamentals of Accident Prevention: As explained by Heinrich,

accident prevention is both, science and art. It represents control of
performance of man, machine and physical environment (Ventilation,
Light and Storage).The word ‘control’ includes prevention as well as
correction of unsafe conditions and actions. Prevention is the first or
initial part of ‘control’ which if practiced, subsequent control for
consequence or effect may not be needed. Thus accident control is a
vital factor in every industry, which if ignored or practiced unskillfully,
leads to needless human suffering and business bankruptcy.

     The accident-prevention task requires both, the short term approach
(direct control of personal performance and environment) and the long-
term approach of instruction, training and education. This task must be
performed before an accident and injury occur. Subsequent efforts after
accidents are also necessary.
          Thus accident prevention may be defined as an integrated
programme, a series of co-ordinated activities, directed to the control of
unsafe acts and unsafe conditions and based on knowledge, attitude and
ability for safety. It aims to serve industry, country and humanity.

Five basic or fundamental steps for accident prevention (safe and efficient
production), suggested by H.W. Heinrich, are;

1. Organization. (Policy & Safety Structure)

2. Fact finding. (Investigation)
3. Analysis of the facts found (for immediate cause & Root cause)
4. Selection of remedy and (Corrective & Preventive action)
5. Application of the remedy (Actual Implementation for closure) Sixth
step of ‘Monitoring’ (i.e. measurement o: result, assessment i.e.
comparison with legal criteria or standard, feedback and further
improvement) is also suggested. Such review is necessary after all
safety programs.