Applied Accident Prevention

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION
In the course of our daily work routine, we are all required to observe and apply the basic principles of accident prevention. Very few of us however, realize just what accident prevention really means. The term "Accident Prevention", may be interpreted differently, according to our respective interests and attitudes. At the administrative level, it implies higher productivity through healthier employees and reduced absenteeism. Supervisors and department heads view it as a pre¬requisite to greater efficiency, less down time and fewer problems to contend with. To the average employee, whether or not he or she is aware of it, accident prevention means a much safer environment in which to earn his or her pay check. From a philosophic viewpoint, as it applies specifically to this corporation, effective accident prevention may be regarded as a contributory factor in assuring a successful mission and a safeguard against the inevitable penalties of failure. Regardless of how efficient we may be in our respective occupations, the more personal injuries and physical damage we can prevent, both on and off the job, the better we can "Support the Fleet", which is after all, our primary purpose in being here.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS
What then, can we do to prevent accidents? First let us stop to consider the motivating factors we are confronted with: Industrial safety engineers throughout the world are unanimous in their findings that the majority of work-related accidents are attributable to any one or a combination of three principal causes, namely:

1) - AN UNSAFE ACT OR OMISSION.

2) - AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

3 ) - AN UNSAFE ATTITUDE.

1) - The unsafe act or omission may be due to carelessness, ignorance, panic, forgetfulness, neglect, or improper supervision.

2) - The unsafe condition may arise from inadequate maintenance of property or equipment, poor housekeeping in the workplace, or failure to apply basic safety rules and common sense.

3) - The unsafe attitude is invariably due to a lack of safety consciousness, and this is undoubtedly the more serious of the three motivating factors mentioned above.

The sad truth is that indifference to safety constitutes a hazard in itself, not only to the apathetic party involved, but unfortunately, to other unsuspecting co¬workers who may become innocent victims as a result of someone else's apathy. Quite frequently, when people are alerted to a potentially hazardous condition within their vicinity, we hear the indignant response "That's not my job." Likewise, there are many among us who are so concerned with the importance of their own immediate tasks and activities, that the possibility of an accident happening never even enters their minds. This lack of awareness is not limited to the so-called "front-line" workers but also applies to those who are so far removed from `where the action is', that the only time they think about safety is after the occurrence of an accident. It is logical to assume that if the three main accident-producing causes can be corrected, or at least reduced to a minimum, there should be a corresponding reduction in the overall accident potential, at least for a period of time. Accident prevention however, should not be thought of in terms of a one-shot affair, comprising officious rhetoric, or a sudden surge of housekeeping and decorating the workplace with safety posters and warning signs. Panic response is invariably indicative of prior neglect or indifference and can often be misleading, since it may focus attention on the superficial symptoms while failing to consider and correct the less apparent underlying causes. Accident prevention is a continuous task, an integral part of our everyday routine, requiring periodic inspection of premises, equipment, practices and procedures. It also includes the setting of good examples to emphasize the importance of safety and the enforcement of such safety rules as may be necessary to maintain each department accident-free all year round.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
The question often arises, "Who is responsible for accident prevention?" - By the same token we must ask ourselves, "Where safety is concerned, who among us can, afford to be irresponsible? Management, Supervisors and all other employees are dependent in varying degrees upon the continued existence of this Corporation for stability of employment in their respective jobs. It is therefore evident, that individually and coliectively, we all share some responsibility for ow own safety and that of our co-workers. Thus, any person who believes "That's not my job", is practicing self-deception and being disloyal to the organization. The success of an accident prevention program depends primarily upon supervisory personnel, who, in accepting the authority vested in them by management, automatically assume a moral responsibility for the safety of their respective sections and subordinates. It is to the supervisory level that most workers are expected to look for guidance and example.

It is therefore incumbent upon the responsible leaders to gain the confidence and respect of those under their jurisdiction by instructing employees in proper work procedures, by alerting them to any known or potential hazards involved, and by taking appropriate action whenever a hazardous condition or safety violation is observed or reported. Normally, the supervisor has the task of expediting care of an injured employee, investigation of the accident, correcting the cause, and in some cases, he may have to re-assign another employee to maintain continuity of project progress. In addition there is the usual burden of paper work required by accident investigation, injury-accident report, corrective recommendations plus follow-up. With an effective program of accident prevention in force, much of the time normally consumed by these chores will be minimized considerably, thereby allowing more time to be allotted to more productive activity. Time is an irreplaceable factor that can be lost by accident or saved with safety. The effectiveness of supervisors however, insofar as accident prevention is concerned, is contingent upon moral and tactical support from staff and management alike. Accident prevention is a contributory factor to progress, therefore, unless a positive spirit of cooperation is developed towards supervisory personnel in their enforcement of safety rules and accident prevention practices, subsequent losses resulting from personal injury, equipment break-down and disrupted schedules will present themselves as serious demerits to the overall performance of the Corporation.

EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
Theoretical idealism and practical realism are sometimes poles apart, and if despite all the precautionary measures, accidents continue to happen, the situation can become very frustrating. We should not despair, however, nor should we be distracted from our objective. Consideration should also be given to any noticeable trend in accidents, injuries of similar nature, identical failures due to human error and mechanical failures due to unsafe equipment, improper use or overload. But what should be done about a particular condition that is found to be responsible for a number of accidents, when the appropriate corrective action is not immediately feasible? In this case, rather than ignoring it in the fallacious hope that it will eventually cease to exist, it is advisable to emphasize the hazardous nature of the condition by specific verbal instruction, conspicuous warning signs, increased illumination, close surveillance, and if warranted, painting the area or object with stripes of contrasting colors such as black and orange, so as to call attention to it. Thus, by being more readily visible, the condition will encourage greater caution which in turn should minimize the accident potential.

In further support of applied accident prevention, management-appointed safety officers should make periodic safety inspections within each Department. These should include, but not be limited to, every office, workshop, storeroom, messroom, stateroom, cabin, bathroom, main engine room, auxiliary engine room, steering flat; passageway; ladders; warehouse, gangway; deck machinery; tank access ladders and hatches; lifeboat davits; to determine current standards of safety and compliance with safety regulations. On the basis of resultant findings, safety officers should submit corrective recommendations where discrepancies are found to exist, or a clean bill of health, as warranted. These periodic findings should be summarized in an annual safety report for each Shipboard Department showing accident types and totals, specific improvements in procedures and work practices during the past year. From such annual reports the effectiveness of applied accident prevention, or lack thereof, within the entire organization can be accurately assessed for whatever credit or caution may be due to those responsible. Meanwhile, a moment's thought may prevent an indefinate period of suffering or loss, and the suffering thus avoided and the loss prevented, may be your own. What more incentive is needed?