SAFETY AT WORK: TO IGNORE OR PREVENT?
AUG 27, 2025
Accidents can occur anywhere—whether at home, in public, or at work. When our family members or friends go to work, we all want them to return home safely. This concern extends to any situation where a person is not home, whether they have gone grocery shopping, attending a party, or having dinner. Regardless of the reason, our hope is always for their safe return. Surprisingly, many accidents also happen at home. We live in a genuinely risky world.
There are different types of reasons why accidents happen; these can be categorized as active failures and latent failures. A latent failure is essentially an accident waiting to happen. The risks or hazardous situations may be present but go unnoticed, requiring only a small trigger to manifest. Conversely, an active failure is more visible and immediate.
In addition to active and latent failures, we can also distinguish between individual and organizational accidents. Individual accidents involve a violation or error made by a single person. However, when an accident occurs within an organization, the blame often falls on one individual. This is referred to as the “blaming habit.” This perception is not always accurate, as the majority of major accidents within organizations are indeed organizational accidents, resulting from systemic issues rather than individual mistakes.
Various factors can contribute to accidents, including human, technical, and organizational elements. Preventing unsafe situations and accidents in the workplace begins with one fundamental step: recognizing potential risks. Without a clear understanding of the hazards present, it becomes nearly impossible to implement effective mitigation strategies.
Risk identification serves as the foundation of any effective safety program. Whether it involves inspecting equipment, assessing work processes, or analyzing environmental factors, identifying risks enables organizations to take proactive measures before incidents occur.
Once risks are identified, appropriate mitigation strategies—such as training, protective equipment, engineering controls, or procedural adjustments—can be implemented to significantly reduce or eliminate danger.
By continuously evaluating the work environment and encouraging open communication around safety and human factors, businesses can foster a culture where risks are managed effectively and accidents are prevented from occurring.
If your organization would like more information on a specific topic related to safety and human behavior, please feel free to contact me.
