ACCIDENTS =
MANAGEMENT FAILURE

By THEODORE L. LEMKE
Loss Control Representative
Management Services, Inc.

Accidents have become a significant bottom line item in the financial picture of any organization. It's unfortunate that we have a tendency to look at "Dollars" rather than the personal suffering involved. However, it is a fact of life that "Dollars" will get our attention.

There are several reasons for the increase cost of accidents. I think most of us have experienced "Sticker Shock" when we've looked at new cars. If we could look at the impact of cost regarding risk management, we would really be shocked. The expenses, both direct and indirect, of accidents have risen drastically. In addition, litigation from today's accidents is placing a tremendous burden on the cost of doing business. The first line of control is to minimize accidents.

What then are the causes of accidents? The following is a list of examples given by William T. Fine for the Naval Surface Weapons Center.

1. Poor housekeeping
2. Unsafe or defective equipment — facilities
3. Failure to follow procedures
4. Inattention, misconduct, failure to use equipment correctly

It's interesting that these examples apply to almost every organization. Does the management of your group adequately address accident causes or is safety a token management function?

In football, we consider the team that can control their injuries to have the best chance of winning. Injuries/accidents have an effect on the success of all organizations. Success is important.

ACCIDENTS = Management Failure
Safety is no accident — Get involved! •

August 1988 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15