Understanding the Difference between Accidents and Incidents in the Workplace
Difference between Accidents and Incidents
Accidents:
An accident is an unplanned or undesired event that can lead to personal injury, property damage, or even death. Examples of accidents include car crashes and workplace injuries.
Incidents:
An incident is an unplanned or undesired event that does not result in personal injury but may cause property damage. Examples of incidents include bank robberies or arguments between celebrities.
Key Differences:
- Nature of Consequences: Accidents result in losses, such as injuries or damage, while incidents do not typically result in serious harm.
- Near Misses: Near misses, which are events that could have resulted in a serious accident but were avoided, are considered incidents.
- Scope: All accidents are incidents, but not all incidents are accidents.
In conclusion, accidents and incidents are unforeseen events in the workplace. The main difference is that accidents result in losses, while incidents generally do not cause serious harm. Near misses are considered incidents as well.
It’s important for organizations to distinguish between accidents and incidents in their workplace safety protocols to effectively manage risks and prevent future occurrences.
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