Question

why does industrial
disaster happen

Answer 1

1. Unsafe Conditions  

2. Unsafe Acts  

3. Other Causes?  

These are discussed, in brief.  

1. Unsafe Conditions (work-related):  

Unsafe working conditions are the biggest cause of acci­dents. These are associated with detective plants, tools, equipment’s, machines, and materials. Such causes are known as ‘technical causes’. They arise when there are improper guarded equipment’s, defective equipment’s, faulty layout and location of plant, inadequate lighting arrangements and ventilation, unsafe storage, inadequate safety devices, etc.  

Besides, the psychological reasons such as working over time, monotony, fatigue, tiredness, frustration and anxiety are also some other causes that cause accidents. Safety experts identify that there are some high danger zones in an industry. These are, for example, hand lift trucks, wheel-barrows, gears and pulleys, saws and hand rails, chisels and screw drivers, electric drop lights, etc., where about one-third of industrial accidents occur.  

2. Unsafe Acts:  

Industrial accidents occur due to certain acts on the part of workers. These acts may be the result of lack of knowledge or skill on the part of the worker, certain bodily defects and wrong attitude.  

Examples of these acts are:  

(a) Operating without authority.  

(b) Failure to use safe attire or personal protective equipment’s,  

(c) Careless throwing of material at the work place.  

(d)Working at unsafe speed, i.e., too fast or too low.  

(e) Using unsafe equipment, or using equipment’s unsafely.  

(f) Removing safety devices.  

(g) Taking unsafe position under suspended loads.  

(h) Distracting, teasing, abusing, quarrelling, day-dreaming, horseplay  

(i) One’s own accident prone personality and behaviour.  

3. Other Causes:  

These causes arise out of unsafe situational and climatic conditions and variations. These may include excessive noise, very high temperature, humid conditions, bad working conditions, unhealthy environment, slippery floors, excessive glare, dust and fume, arrogant behaviour of domineering supervisors, etc.