In 1964, Haddon, Suchman, and Klein revolutionized the world of accident prevention with their seminal work Accident Research: Methods and Approaches. Published by the National Academy of Sciences, this document was a breakthrough in knowledge regarding how accidents occur and what can be done to prevent them from happening again. The publication provided essential insight that is still being used today in attempts to ensure public safety.
For decades, Haddon, Suchman, and Klein have been pioneers in accident prevention and safety research. In Accident Research: Methods and Approaches, they provided a holistic overview of the most advanced studies on accident avoidance and introduced an innovative strategy for analyzing accidents underpinned by systems analysis principles.
One of the key ideas in Accident Research: Methods and Approaches was the concept of the accident sequence. Haddon, Suchman, and Klein argued that accidents are not random events but result from a series of interconnected factors contributing to their occurrence. By understanding the sequence of events that leads to an accident, they argued, it is possible to identify the key factors that contribute to accidents and to develop strategies for preventing them.
Another key idea in Accident Research: Methods and Approaches were identifying the underlying causes of accidents. Haddon, Suchman, and Klein argued that it is not enough to identify the immediate causes of an accident, such as equipment failure or human error. Instead, they argued, it is necessary to look deeper to identify the underlying causes of an accident, such as organizational or systemic factors that contribute to its occurrence.
All in all, Accident Research: Methods and Approaches served as a fundamental improvement for accident prevention and safety. It was highly praised for its emphasis on the incident procedure plus recognition of underlying causes – offering invaluable insight into how accidents occur and can be avoided.
The ideas expressed in this document remain highly influential among those interested in accident prevention and safety, making it an indispensable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Its long-standing relevance speaks to the timelessness of its wisdom.
Direct link to a digital version of the document:
https://archive.org/details/accidentresearch0000hadd
Amazon link to a physical copy:
