Safety Theories
1. Heinrich Theory
Heinrich concluded that 98% of the accidents were caused either due to unsafe acts or unsafe conditions (mechanical or physical conditions) or both and can be prevented. Heinrich Theory of Chain of Injury Occurrence which may be summarized as under:
· An injury occurs only as a result of an accident.
· Accident occurs only due to unsafe act and unsafe condition.
· Unsafe act and unsafe condition (i.e., horseplay) exist because of human faults.
· Human faults are inherited or acquired from the environment.
· Environment factors that causes human faults comprises of:
– Improper mechanical or physical or social environmental condition.
– Lack of knowledge and skill.
2. Bird’s Theory
Bird’s study is an improvement over Heinrich accident ratio study in his 641 cases of accidents.
3. Domino’s
According to Domino’s theory accident are the result of many causes and sub causes and random combination of such factors result into accidents.
(i) Domino’s Multiple Causation Theory
(ii) Domino’s Causation Theory
Farrrel Theory
University of Arizona’s theory of causation of accidents. According to Dr. Russell Ferrell:
- Accidents are the result of human errors.
- Human errors result because of casual chain of overload – situational incompatibility – incorrect response – accidents.
- Heinrich – social environment and unsafe act & conditions. Heinrich also not reported about property damage.
- Birds – lack of controls and unsafe acts & conditions.
Cost of an Accident
· Cost of the Industry or Management
· Cost to the Injured person
· Cost to the Society
Cost to the Industry or Management | |
Direct Cost | Indirect Cost |
Medical & hospitalization charges | Loss of production due to halt of work by workers · Fellow employee · Supervisors · Foreman · Other Executives |
Compensation loss | Cost of training new workers or substitute workman |
Damage to materials, property, machines & building | Cost of recruitment, selection and training in place deceased person |
Delay in Structural work | Loss of morale due to accidents |
Expenses on account of rehabilitation of injured | Cost due to damage to machines /tools / spoilage of materials. |
Death compensation / pensions | Accident investigation costs |
Other public liability | Cost of payment to the injured person on return even though his productivity is poor. |
| Cost due to loss of productivity of new employee till he attains proficiency. |
| Cost of loss of image of organization among public. |