it should be noted
from above definitions of ‘accident’ that-
1. In accident phenomenon, which includes
event and its effect, ‘event’ is more important then its ‘event’ Event or
consequence may or may not be there. For example, a person getting chemical
splash (exposure), struck by falling body, falling by striking against object,
falling from height, getting electric shock or meeting with road accident may
not get any injury or his normal activity may not be interrupted. Here event
has taken place but it has not a notable effect. Even then this is an accident
for the purpose of finding the ‘cause’ of event and remedial measures to
prevent its recurrence.
2. Event may be one or more. One thing
falls or may things fall one by one, only fire takes place or explosion follows
the fire, events of primary and secondary explosion, collision of many
vehicles, one persons die or more persons die in a sequence or due to different
injuries in one accident may constitute one accident.
3. Idea of ‘accident by chance’ is not
acceptable in safety philosophy. Each accident has its ‘cause’ or ‘cause’ that
need inquiry, investigation and efforts to remove them. Considering accident as
chance or fate does not help to prevent the accident and may result in another
accident. Event if it is considered as chance, the ‘causes’ of that chance
occurrence are important.
4. There may not be immediacy between
event and effect. For example, pain or symptom may appear after repeated
actions or few hours or days after the accident, cancer may occur after years
from the exposure of a toxic substance. This delay or latency period’ hides the
effect for some time. However such accident of delayed effect may prove most
serious and needs thought investigation and effective control measures viz.
pesticide poisoning and control.
5. Duration or span of event may be short
or long Span of event should be considered from its beginning to the end of the
effect or consequence. Therefore when effect occurs just after the event
begins, duration of event is short and when effect occurs after a long time
(i.e. delayed effect) form the beginning of the event duration of the event is
long. Therefore in definition of accident, immediate or delayed, both the
effects are included. Chronic disease (effect) requires events of long
duration.
Legal definition of ‘non
fatal injury accident’ or ‘dangerous occurrence’ makes it reportable after the
duration of 48 hours from the time of accident. Thus legal definition of
accident has considered 48 hours duration of event to notice any harmful
effect. Accident causing death or possibility of death is to be reported
immediately (Sec. 88 & 88A, the Factories Act).