Workplace Accident Prevention

See members area for detailed information

Accident prevention is a planed safety management function that results from implementation of effective safety programs.  Safety Programs should include a written program that includes company policy, purpose of the safety program, responsibilities of management, supervisors, employees and the safety staff.  Other areas that should be covered include definition of terms, specific employee safety training requirements. Rules and topic specific safety procedures should also be included along with any amplifying technical information that would be helpful in explanation of the program requirements.  Specific records and documents relating to the safety program should be listed but kept as separate files to allow update modifications without having to re-issue the entire safety program.

There are only 2 causes of accidents -unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.

Unsafe Acts

• Unauthorized operation of equipment
• Running - Horse Play
• Not following procedures
• By-passing safety devices
• Not using protective equipment
• Under influence of drugs or alcohol

Unsafe Conditions

• Ergonomic Hazards
• Environmental hazards
• Inadequate housekeeping
• Blocked walkways
• Improper or damaged PPE
• Inadequate machine guarding

Elements of Accident Prevention

Accident Prevention Plan - OSHA requires employers to have an Accident Prevention Plan that details specific plans and management activities that are designed to prevent workplace accidents and injuries such as implementing investigations, correction of hazards, use of Job Safety Analysis, inspections and safety audits .

Employee Safety Training - Prevention of workplace accidents depends on the knowledge of employees.  Initial safety orientation training followed by job specific safety training is necessary for employees to understand workplace hazards and be able to identify and respond to hazards with specific safe behaviors that preclude injury and accidents.

Engineering Safety Controls - Specific engineered safety designs and safeguards are the best means for accident prevention.  This process completely eliminates specific hazards by safe design of the facility, processes and equipment.  An example of engineering safety controls are machine guards that provide a physical boundary between an employee and the hazard of moving machine parts.

Administrative Safety Controls - Detailed procedures and operational standards are needed when engineering controls cannot be employed or are not sufficient to control a specific hazard.  Administrative controls include equipment operating and maintenance procedures and limits on who is allowed to operate equipment.

PPE Controls - Personal protective equipment should be used when all other safety controls are either inadequate or impractical.  PPE assessments are made on a task by task basis to ensure all hazards have been identified and specific PPE has been selected to control the hazards and protect the worker.  An example of PPE Controls is use of safety glasses to prevent eye injury from flying debris.

Safety Audits - Periodic review of safety programs is essential for ensuring programs are effective and up to date.  All programs should be audited annually and specific programs should be audited if an inspection, accident or near-miss reveals a program deficiency

Safety Inspections - Detailed material inspections of the workplace are used to identify hazardous conditions.  Corrections of hazards should be a management priority.  Hazardous conditions can also be identified through reports by employees, pre-startup checks, and informal walk-through.  All identified hazards should be immediately reported and action taken to prevent the hazard from causing an accident.

More detailed information on Accident Prevention
can be found in the Members Area