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No accidents? Doesn't mean you're safe.(BERKE ON SAFETY)
- Article from:
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Machine Design
- Article date:
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June 19, 2008
- Author:
- Berke, Lanny
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Penton Media, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The old safety wisdom has been, "If no one is seriously hurt, the workplace must be safe." But reacting only to "lost time" incidents means ignoring 99% of the opportunities to make the workplace safer. An effective close-call and accident investigation program with employee buy-in is the cornerstone of a safe workplace.
An accident is any unplanned, undesired event. It is not necessarily injurious or damaging, but it disrupts the completion of a task. By this definition, close calls fall under the "accident" umbrella. Every incident, from personal injury accidents to close calls, should be thoroughly investigated to identify and address root ...