STRATEGIES TO REDUCING RISKS OF INJURY

 

 

1.                Preventing the creation of a hazard or injurious agent in the first place

OR

2.                Reducing the amount of the hazard brought into being

 

Examples for 1	Examples for 2
a.  not making gunpowder or electricity	a.  limit speed of vehicles
b.  draining swimming pools off-season	b.  limit height of diving boards and chairs
c.  not permitting elderly people to use stairs	c.  limit availability of ammunition
d.  eliminating production of plutonium	d.  limit amount and concentration of reagents in chemistry experiments
e.  eliminate manufacture of motorcycles	e.  to reduce musculoskeletal stress, store load on a platform or shelf so it can be lifted using a bio-mechanically less-stressful posture
f.  to reduce deaths from carbon monoxide replace diesel trucks with battery powered trucks

 

Can you think of other examples?

 

3.                 Preventing inappropriate release of agent:  there are two general categories for this strategy, 1^st modify human capabilities and behavior and 2^nd modify the environment where one lives, visits, or works.

 

            a.  modify human capabilities and behavior – training pilots or preventing

     swimming after heavy drinking.

b.        modify environment making bathtubs less slippery.

c.        to prevent contact with electricity during maintenance of machinery, shut off electricity and lockout the switch before doing the work.

d.        To prevent injury from unstable dirt walls of trench in which someone needs to work, use proper shoring.

 

Can you think of other examples?

 

4.                 Modifying release of agent:  changing rate or its spatial distribution upon release can reduce potentially damaging energy transfers to non injurious levels.

 

a.      flammability standard for some night clothes for children

b.      seat belts

c.       parachutes

d.      fire nets

e.      safety valves on boilers

f.    provide fire walls to prevent fire from spreading to adjacent rooms

g.   to deal with the gravitational energy of an elevator, provide effective brakes and counterweights

 

Can you think of other examples?

 

5.                Separating in time or space, the hazard and that which is to be protected

 

a.      spraying with poisons only when people are absent

b.      restricting transport of hazardous materials to periods when traffic is minimal

c.       placing electric power lines out of reach

d.      removing ambient hazards (carbon monoxide, mine gases, etc.) by ventilation

e.    to prevent fires to buildings, install lightning protection to deflect lightning strikes away from the building

f.    provide two hand actuator buttons on mechanical power presses to assure separation of hands and point of operation during downstroke

 

OR

 

6.                To separate with physical barriers, the hazard and that which is to be protected

 

a.      shin guards

b.      boxing gloves

c.       bullet-proof vests

d.      machine guards

e.      diving bells

f.        electric insulation on a power tool cord

g.    wearing of hardhats

           

Can you think of other examples?

 

Moats around South American athletic fields to protect athletes and umpires from spectators are an example of combining 5 and 6.

 

7.                Modifying surfaces and basic structures

 

Likelihood of injury from mechanical energy varies inversely with the radius of curvature and the softness of the structure impacted.  The magnitude of the forces and the way they act on the body determine the extent of injury.  The more abrupt the forces and the more localized the areas on which they act, the more likely that injury will occur.

HELMETS AND VEHICLE AIRBAGS:  spread impact forces over wide areas of the body.

 

a.       remove projections and rounding and softening corners and edges of car fronts, babies’ playpens, bus window frames, and seat backs

b.      modifying roadside lights so that they yield gently when struck.

c.    to reduce musculoskeletal stress to shoulder muscles use a suitcase with wheels.

           

Can you think of other examples?

 

8.                Increasing resistance to injury:

 

Resistance to injury may be natural or acquired.

 

a.      development of calluses and stronger musculoskeletal components

b.      tanning (sunlight)

c.       adjustment to high altitudes (resistance to hypoxia)

d.      immunize susceptible people against insect stings

e.   introduce worker to hot job gradually to build up acclimatization

 

Can you think of other examples?

 

9.                Beginning to counter damage already done

 

a.      modern communication system

b.      ambulances designed and equipped to support life

c.       trained EMT and paramedics

d.      poison control centers

 

Can you think of other examples?

 

10.           Stabilizing, repairing and rehabilitating the injured

 

a.      burn units

b.      detoxification centers

c.       regional trauma centers

 

Can you think of other examples?