Theories of Accident Causation

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 Learning Outcomes
• Explain the theory of accident causations and
relate to real situations.

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 Domino Theory
• H.W. Heinrich – an early pioneer of accident
prevention and industrial safety
• According to Heinrich, there are five factors in
the sequence of events leading up to an accident.
These factors can be summarized as follows:

i. Social environment and ancestry

ii. Fault of person
iii.Unsafe act / mechanical or physical hazard
iv.Accident
v. Injury
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 Heinrich’s Theorem
• INJURY - caused by accidents.
• ACCIDENTS - caused by an unsafe act –
injured person or an unsafe condition –
work place.
• UNSAFE ACTS/CONDITIONS - caused by
careless persons or poorly designed or improperly
maintained equipment.
• FAULT OF PERSONS - created by social
environment or acquired by ancestry.
• SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT/ANCESTRY - where
and how a person was raised and educated.
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 Domino Theory
“Industrial Accident Prevention”

Social Fault of the Unsafe Act

Environment Person or Accident Injury
and Ancestry (Carelessness) Condition

MISTAKES OF PEOPLE

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 The human factors theory

The human factors theory of accident

causation attributes accidents to a chain of
events ultimately caused by human error, it
consists of the following three broad factors
that lead to human error:
• Over load
• inappropriate response
• Inappropriate activities

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Schematic Representation

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Human Factors Theory

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 The accident / incident theory

In this model,
• overload, ergonomic traps lead to human error.
The decision to err may be conscious and based on
logic, or it may be unconscious.

A variety of pressures such as

• deadlines, peer pressure ,and budget factors
can lead to unsafe behavior.
Another factor that can influence such a decision is
the “ it won’t happen to me ” syndrome.
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 Petersen’s Accident/Incident
Theory

Overload Ergonomic Traps Decision to Err

•Pressure •Misjudgment of
•Incompatible
•Fatigue workstation (i.e. the risk
•Motivation size, force, reach, •Unconscious
feel) desire to err
•Drugs
•Logical decision
•Alcohol based on the
•Worry situation

Human Error
Systems Failure
Policy Inspection Accident
Responsibility Correction
Training Standards Injury/Damage
 The behavioral theory
According to Geller, there are seven basic principles of
behavior-based safety:
i. Intervention
ii. Identification of internal factors
iii.Motivation to behave in the desired manner
iv. Focus on the positive consequences of appropriate
behavior
v. Application of the scientific method
vi. Integration of information.

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 System theory of accident
causation
• A system is a group of regularly interacting and
interrelated components that together forms a unified
whole.
• This theory views a situation in which an accident
might occurs as a system comprised of the following
components
• Person(host)
• Machine(agency)
• Environment

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 Continued……….
• The likelihood of an accident occurring is
determined by how these components
interact.
• Changes in the pattern of interaction can
increase or reduce the probability of an
accident occurring.

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 Continued
• Feed back loop
•

Machine
Task to
Person
Environment Collect Weight Make
performed
Interaction information risk decision

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 Review questions
• Explain the domino theory of accident causation,
including its origin and its impact on more
modern theories?
• What are the findings of Herbert W.heinrich,s
1920s study of the causes of industrial accidents
• What are the three broad factors that lead to
human error in the human factor theory?briefly
expalin each?

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 Continued………
• Explain the system failure components of the
accident/incident theory?
• What are the key components of the
epidemiological theory and how does their
interaction affect accident causation?
• Expain the system theory of accident causation?
• List five factors that should be considered before
making workplace decisions that invole risk?

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1. What is Heinrich's Domino Theory of Accident Causation, and who proposed
it?
2. Can you explain the concept of sequential events in Heinrich's Domino
Theory?
3. What are the five main elements in the sequence of events according to
Heinrich's Domino Theory?
4. How does Heinrich's Domino Theory suggest accidents can be prevented or
minimized?
5. What are some criticisms of Heinrich's Domino Theory of Accident
Causation?
6. How has Heinrich's Domino Theory influenced modern safety management
practices?
7. Can you provide examples of how Heinrich's Domino Theory could be
applied in different workplace settings?
8. What role do organizational culture and management policies play in
Heinrich's Domino Theory?
9. How does Heinrich's Domino Theory address human factors in accident
causation?
10. Are there any contemporary theories or models that build upon or challenge
Heinrich's Domino Theory?
11. "What is Accident Incident Theory, and how does it differ from Heinrich's
Domino Theory of Accident Causation?" 17
How do individual characteristics influence accident causation according to
Human Factor Theory? Provide examples.
Compare and contrast Human Factor Theory with other accident causation
theories, such as the Domino Theory or Systems Theory.

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Case Studies
A construction company was working on a large-scale building project in an urban
area. The project involved multiple subcontractors working simultaneously on
different aspects of the construction, including excavation, steel erection, and
concrete pouring. During the excavation phase, heavy rains caused soil erosion near
the edge of the excavation site, creating an unstable slope. Despite warnings from
the site safety supervisor, some workers continued to operate near the unstable
slope without proper safety barriers or personal protective equipment (PPE). A
section of the unstable slope collapsed, burying several workers under tons of soil
and debris. Multiple workers sustained serious injuries, and one worker tragically lost
their life in the accident.

Analysis: In this case, Heinrich's Domino Theory applies by identifying the sequence
of events leading to the accident. The unsafe condition of the unstable slope,
combined with workers' unsafe acts of disregarding safety warnings and operating
without adequate protection, contributed to the accident. Addressing these factors
through improved slope stabilization measures, enhanced safety training, and stricter
enforcement of safety protocols could help prevent similar accidents in the future.

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Manufacturing Plant Incident:
Background: A manufacturing plant producing chemical products had a history of
minor accidents and near-misses related to equipment malfunction and improper
handling of hazardous materials. A critical valve in one of the chemical storage tanks
malfunctioned due to inadequate maintenance, causing a leak of toxic chemicals. A
worker tasked with inspecting the storage tanks failed to follow proper lockout-tagout
procedures before opening the valve for inspection. As the worker attempted to
inspect the malfunctioning valve, a sudden release of toxic chemicals occurred,
leading to a chemical spill and exposure.The worker suffered chemical burns and
respiratory problems as a result of exposure to the toxic chemicals, requiring
immediate medical attention.
Analysis: This case exemplifies Heinrich's Domino Theory, as it illustrates a chain of
events culminating in an accident. The combination of an unsafe condition
(malfunctioning equipment) and an unsafe act (failure to follow lockout-tagout
procedures) led to the accident and subsequent injury. To prevent similar incidents,
the plant could implement more rigorous maintenance procedures, enhance employee
training on equipment safety protocols, and reinforce the importance of adhering to
lockout-tagout procedures before performing maintenance tasks.

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