SafetyAccidentsandHumanError.pptVIP

Safety, Accidents, and Human Error Human Factors Psychology Dr. Steve Safety and Accident Prevention Accidents caused by multiple factors e.g., “human error,” equipment failure, improper equipment design, environmental factors, or interaction between factors Accident deaths and injury in the U.S. 47,000 motor vehicle-related deaths / year 13,000 deaths due to falls /year 7,000 deaths due to poisoning / year Cost of Workplace deaths and injuries $48 billion / year $780,000 / victim cost to society $420 cost / worker Most Frequent Causes of Workplace Deaths and Injuries Injury Overexertion Impact accidents Falls Bodily reaction to chemicals Compression Motor vehicle accidents Exposure to radiation/caustics Rubbing or abrasions Exposure to extreme temperatures Deaths Motor-vehicle related Falls Electrical current Drowning Fire related Air transport related Poison Water transport related Other Safety Legislation Prior to 1900’s employers assumed little responsibility for safety Companies defended themselves against accidents claiming: Contributory negligence (person’s behavior contributed to the accident) Negligence of fellow employees Accident Injured worker was aware of the hazards and knowingly assumed the risks Workers’ Compensation and Liability Early laws provided compensation to workers for on-the-job injuries regardless of who was at fault These laws originally thrown out as unconstitutional (passed in 1917) Today there are different workers’ compensation laws in each state, with approximately 80% of all workers covered To collect workers compensation, injury must: Arise from an accident Arise out of worker’s employment Occur during course of employment Goals of worker compensation: Provide income and medical benefits to work-accident victims or income to their dependents Provide a single remedy to reduce court delays, costs, and workloads arising out of perennial-injury litigation Eliminate payment of fees to lawyers and witnesses as well as time-consuming