Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance, "Who Causes Accidents People or Physics?" 2-17-15

There are 2 theories on what causes accidents. The first theory is people cause accidents. Social and personal ancestry affect a workers personality (e.g., stubbornness and recklessness) that lead to faults which leads to unsafe conditions , which lead to accidents, and finally to injuries. The other theory is physics causes accidents. Energy builds up in certain conditions and is suddenly released causing accidents and injuries.  Which one do you subscribe to?  In my experience I can point to both theories and see truth. Take the example of the hot head foreman on a construction crew who gets so frustrated with his guys he decides to do the job himself. So he grabs the tools he needs and begins to lift and work to complete the job. Unfortunately he injures his back because as the foreman he is not use to the rigors of the job. His personality trait caused the accident.
Now lets look at physics. Here is an example.  A loaded delivery truck is driving extremely slow down a road on a cold night. The driver is cautious because he is aware there may be black ice. Sure enough the truck begins to slide, but the driver has the truck in a controlled slow slide due to his safe speed. Unfortunately the truck hits a curb and the weight distribution on the load causes the truck to tip over. In this case the potential energy of the loaded truck caused the tip over.
 Risk managers have been trying to figure which of the causes of accidents is right, in order to prevent accidents. In my experience it is wise to use risk control techniques with both people and physics in mind because both will cause accidents. Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.


G. Kevin Nemith President CNC Insurance Assoc. & The Small Business Insurance Center
Serving DE, MD, PA, NJ, & VA
www.cncinsurance.com
www.bizinsurancetv.org

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