Frequency Breeds Severity - Safety Campaign

 

How Minor Incidents and Near Misses Predict Severe Losses

How often accidents, incidents or near misses happen is the main predictor of the potential for a large or very severe accident.  The more often a minor incident or a near miss happens, the more likely we are to have a serious or catastrophic accident. 

Consider this analogy.  When scientists are monitoring for coming earthquakes, they use a seismometer.  This tool monitors the ground for vibrations.  Most of the time the tool is calm and quiet.  But, from time to time the earth will build up pressure, and the seismometer will begin to register vibration, after vibration, after vibration.  (This is accident frequency.)  Scientists have proven that the more frequent the vibrations the higher the likelihood that a much more significant ground shaking, earth rattling, building crumbling, earthquake – the “Big One” - is coming.  (This is an accident with a high financial loss or severe personal injury.)

Severe Accidents Cause Extreme and Often Debilitating Impacts To The Company and Its People.  These Impacts Include:

· Heavy and expensive property damage

· Major loss of productivity, down time

· Serious injury and possible loss of life

· Lengthy and costly litigation

· Criminal charges against drivers

What Can Trucking Do To Promote Safety?

Every accident, incident and near miss should be investigated so we may learn how to avoid that risk in the future. The single most effective way to reduce the potential for a severe incident is to reduce how often smaller incidents and near misses happen. We can do this by informing ourselves with information pertaining to driver safety & practicing these methods.

Why Does This Matter Today? 

With each smaller incident or near miss that takes place, it is human nature to accept and become desensitized to the potential for a serious or severe accident.  Each time we engage in a risky behavior that does not result in a serious incident, our brain begins to believe that there is no risk, or that the potentially dangerous outcome will “happen to someone else, but not me”.  It only takes one time for a minor backing incident to become a serious and catastrophic loss of property, and/or life.  Each time a backing incident occurs, it is one more opportunity for this severe type of loss to occur.  Even the most veteran commercial vehicle drivers are capable of severe accidents.

We must remain diligent in our efforts to engage in safe behaviors and practices.  As we consistently perform our jobs according to the best practices and company policies, we reduce the risk of the “Big One” happening to us.