2. Causes of accidents

An accident often has more than one cause. Accidents can be prevented by removing their causes.
Basically there are two causes of accidents:

1. Unsafe acts and procedures, eg:

• lack of training
  
• lack of suitable equipment
  
• inappropriate use of equipment.
  

2. Unsafe conditions, eg:

• confined space
  
• lack of protective equipment
  
• too few staff/too many staff.

The person who gets injured does not always cause the accident. However, accidents are caused by some person(s) failing to act safely, or to correct an unsafe condition.

Many accidents are preceded by ‘near misses’ in which an accident or injury was narrowly avoided. These are free lessons in safety and identify areas where safety control strategies are needed.

Examples of unsafe acts which could lead to an accident can include:

• using equipment without having received proper training in its use
  
• failing to use the appropriate protective equipment
  
• distracting others from their work or allowing yourself to be distracted
  
• using tools or equipment incorrectly.
  

Examples of unsafe working conditions can include:

• unsuitable clothing for a particular job
  
• untidy work area
• tools in poor condition
  
• poor lighting in work area.

The attention issues receive should be consistent with the risk level identified:

• risks that identified as high risk should receive immediate attention
  
• risks that identified as low risk can be reported to the next OH&S committee meeting.
  

Listed below are electrical hazards commonly met in domestic and industrial installations in connection with the use of electrical equipment:

• inferior standard of work
  
• faulty flexible cords
  
• poor use and maintenance of portable appliances
  
• damp situations
  
• unsafe working procedures
  
• incorrect use of fire extinguishers.