An accident is an unplanned, unexpected, and undesired event that results in harm to people, damage to property, or harm to the environment. It is typically a consequence of uncontrolled hazards and often involves a sequence of events.
- Unplanned: Accidents are not intentional.
- Undesired: They result in negative consequences.
- Unexpected: They occur without prior anticipation.
- Causality: Accidents often have multiple contributing factors, not just a single cause.
- Consequences: Accidents can lead to injuries, fatalities, property damage, environmental contamination, and business disruptions.
Brief Explanation of the Term “Accident”
Accidents occur due to unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, or a combination of both. They can happen in any workplace or environment and often lead to disruptions, financial losses, or long-term consequences. Proper risk assessments, safety training, and preventive measures help minimize accidents.
Example: A forklift operator in a warehouse is moving pallets.
While turning a corner, the forklift operator collides with a storage rack, causing the rack to collapse and pallets to fall onto a nearby worker, resulting in a serious leg injury. This is an unplanned event that resulted in harm to a person (the worker). Traffic management, proximity sensors, proper training, and safe storage practices could have prevented this accident.
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