Prevention of Accidents

An accident is a single event causing physical harm to the worker and is sometimes termed overt trauma . An unexpected change in the surface encountered while walking or climbing raises the likelihood of an accident. Electrical energy is not visibly threatening, as was a belt and spinning shaft. If a machine uses electrical energy, must take special care to guard the worker from accidental contact. Sufficient current in the wrong place can paralyze breathing or stop the heart. At around 15 mA muscle contraction prevents the worker from releasing the source of current. Serious injury often results when a machine undergoing service or maintenance starts running. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that 10 percent of serious industrial accidents occur during maintenance or servicing of machinery without controlling energy going to the machine. Identifying a potential hazard at a workstation may lead to recommendations for protective gear to be worn by the worker.