Too many incidents

  • Published
  • By Richard Fleming
  • AEDC Safety
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  

Looking back at my emails this month, I notice we are averaging about one incident per day on base.

Way too many.

These incidents include injury, illness, fire, material damage, spills and vehicle accidents.

The Accident Triangle or Heinrich’s Triangle is a theory proposed in 1931 for industrial accident prevention that shows that a serious incident is rarely an isolated event. Often, each one is preceded by a group of less serious incidents and near misses. The near misses serve as warning signs of potential hazards or unsafe behaviors.

Here is how Herbert William Heinrich broke it down: For every major incident there are about 29 minor injuries and 300 near misses.

Heinrich’s accident triangle, developed by Herbert William Heinrich in 1931, suggests for every 300 near misses in the workplace, 29 minor injuries will occur. For every 29 minor injuries, there will be one serious injury, according to Heinrich’s theory. The purpose of the triangle is to demonstrate the importance of addressing near misses in the workplace to prevent minor and serious injuries. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Brooke Brumley)

Below are some definitions and examples explaining what these terms mean:

  • Near miss / Close Call
    • Something happens where no one is hurt, or no property is damaged but could have been, like when someone slips but does not fall or equipment malfunctions, but no one is near.
  • Minor Injury
    • These are injuries that just require first aid, no extensive medical treatment or time off work like minor cuts, bruises, or strains.
  • Serious Accidents / Injuries
    • These incidents result in significant injuries requiring medical attention and time away from work or daily activities.

How many close calls have you seen recently that were not reported?

By tracking near misses and addressing them right away, we can identify and correct potential hazards before they lead to more serious incidents. 

Why have we had so many incidents lately? 

It seems to me that every year at about this time, the number of incidents goes up. I have investigated it, and there are several ideas among safety professionals on what may contribute to this trend:

  • Increased workload due to seasonal demands - Good weather, vacations, end of fiscal year push.
  • Heat-related hazards - Fatigue and lack of focus on task.
  • Turnover of the workforce - New employee learning curve.
  • PTO /vacation coverage and staffing gaps - Increases workload, doing a job you are less familiar with, less supervision.
  • Fatigue and complacency - Tired and distracted from after-hour activities.
  • Construction - Peak season for construction, changing work patterns.
  • Summer storms - Sudden, intense rainstorms that reduce visibility and traction, increasing accident risk.

There have been several recent studies that question Heinrich’s exact numbers, but everyone agrees that a trend of near misses and minor incidents can result in a major incident.

As we continue working through the hot weather with vacations, heavy workloads and all the other summer distractions, stay focused on safety. Pay attention to the task in front of you. Always be aware of your surroundings, keeping you and the people around you safe.

Take care of each other.