University Kuala Lumpur MFI

(FIB 16602 – Industrial Safety Management)

Accident Prevention

WHAT IS AN ACCIDENT?

An accident can be defined as an unplanned event or happening. That is, an accident is

something unexpected, not predictable, foreseen or intended. An extension of this theme is
that an accident is an outcome of an event that is not desired. Accidents do not just "happen"
they are caused. An unsafe act and / or unsafe condition cause the accident event; resulting
in interruption to work activities, damage to property or injury to a person.

WHY PREVENT ACCIDENTS?

1. Legal reason for accident prevention

The legal argument is based on the statutory requirements of the OSHA and F&M Act and
other related legislation.

2. Humanitarian reason for accident prevention

The humanitarian reason for accident prevention is based on the notion that it is the duty of
any man to ensure the general well being of his fellow men. This places an onus on the
employer – the common law duty of care – to provide a safe and healthy working
environment for all his employees.

3. Economic reason for accident prevention

The fundamentals reason for utilizing the economic argument in the promotion of accident
prevention is the fact that accidents cost organization money.
There are two types of accident costs – the insured costs and the uninsured costs.

Accident prevention is good business

Preventing work accidents, occupational injuries and diseases not only reduces the costs, but
also contributes to improving company performance.
Occupational safety and health can affect company performance in many ways, for instance:

Healthy workers are more productive and can produce at a higher quality;

A reduction in work-related accidents and illnesses leads to less sick leave. In turn this
results in lower costs and less disruption of the production processes;

Equipment and a working environment that is optimized to the needs of the working
process and that are well maintained lead to higher productivity, better quality and less
health and safety risks;

Reduction of injuries and illnesses means less damages and lower risks for liabilities.

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 University Kuala Lumpur MFI
(FIB 16602 – Industrial Safety Management)
ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAMME

Key elements of an accident prevention programmed or plan should include:

• management commitment;
• occupational safety and health policy, plans and procedures; (discussed later)
• consultation
• hazard identification, risk assessment and control (discussed earlier); and
• training.

Management Commitment

For any accident prevention programmed to be successful, commitment from the highest
appropriate person within the organization is imperative. Planning for safety and health and
accident prevention should be incorporated as part of the overall business plan. Management
systems are a fundamental component of general duty legislation.

Consultation

Consulting the workforce is a requirement. Using their knowledge helps to ensure hazards
are correctly spotted and workable solutions implemented. Worker representatives have an
important role. Employees must be consulted on health and safety measures and also before
the introduction of new technology or products. Consultation helps to ensure that workers are
committed to safety and health procedures and improvements.

Planning

To promote occupational safety and health management practices, a plan is needed to

establish and maintain systems of work so employees are not exposed to hazards.
Accident prevention cannot be left to chance and should incorporate a planned systematic
and documented process, where hazards are identified, risks assessed and controlled. The
programmed must be supervised and reviewed from time to time to ensure that it remains
effective.

Training

Training programmed is essential in maintaining an informed workplace. Training and

retraining is required in some form in all workplaces. Such programmed may take the form of
internal and external training, formal and informal, practical and theoretical types or a
combination of these.