Accident Prevention

Prevention of Accidents

Organized efforts for the prevention of accidents began in the 19th century with the adoption of factory-inspection laws, first in Britain and then in the United States and other countries (Factory System). Fire insurance and accident insurance companies made efforts to enforce safety rules and to educate the public. Factory inspectors and inspectors from fire insurance and casualty insurance companies carried on a campaign against unsafe conditions and actions, and at the beginning of the 20th century a new branch of engineering developed, devoted to finding and eliminating such hazards (Industrial Safety).

Laws concerning workers’ compensation were passed in Germany in 1884, Britain in 1897, and the United States in 1908. By placing on the employer the financial burden of caring for injured workers, such laws created an incentive for providing safe machinery and working conditions and for improved selection and training of employees. In the U.S., the National Safety Council was formed in 1913; this noncommercial organization has since been a leader in accident-prevention activities, especially in the publication of educational literature, the compilation of statistics, and the coordination of the work of schools, clubs, industrial organizations, and state and municipal agencies. (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Hierarchical Display of Accident prevention

Social Questions > Health > Health policy > Organisation of health care
Social Questions > Social affairs > Social problem > Accident in the home
Transport > Transport policy > Transport policy > Transport safety > Transport accident
Employment And Working Conditions > Organisation of work and working conditions > Working conditions > Occupational safety > Occupational accident