The document discusses two major theories of accident causation: the domino theory and the energy release theory (ERT). The domino theory proposes that accidents are the result of a chain of factors, with each factor dependent on the preceding one, from ancestry and environment to personal shortcomings to unsafe acts or conditions to the accident itself. It argues accidents can be prevented by removing one link in the chain, such as by removing unsafe conditions through education and enforcement. The ERT views accidents as caused by the transfer of energy that damages structures and can cause injury. It focuses on interrupting the chain of accident-causing events by disrupting energy or enhancing structures to contain energy, for example with fire-resistant

1. CHAPTER 8
RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE: RISK CONTROL
Kashif Abbass

2. INTRODUCTION
Two major theories of accident causation:
 Domino theory
 Energy release theory
These theories emphasize loss control can be put in place to prevent loss or to reduce
loss.

3. Domino theory
 Developed by H. W. Heinrich.
 Documenting the effects of personal injury, death or property damage.
 Scientific method of loss prevention
 Majority of cases, the human characteristics and behavior are the root cause to
most accidents.
 Individual’s personal character or mindset will have an influence on the individual’s
risk-taking attitude.

4. THE FIVE DOMINOES
1. Ancestry or environment
2. Personal shortcomings
3. Personal or mechanical hazard (unsafe act or condition)
4. Accident
5. Personal injury, death or property damage
Each of the factors is dependent on the preceding factor.

5. Example
1. A personal injury (the final domino) occurs only as a result of an accident.
2. An accident occurs only as a result of personal or mechanical hazard (such as
because of individual’s negligent act or a faulty machine)
3. Personal mechanical hazard exists only because of an individual’s personal
shortcomings.
4. An individual’s shortcomings are inherited or acquired by the individual as a result
of his environment.
5. The environment is the conditions into which the individual is born.

6. Domino theory
 An injury-accident could be altered by removing one factor
 If one of the factors in sequence leading to accident can be removed, an accident
can be removed so loss can be prevented.
 Remove the personal or mechanical hazard
 Remove any unsafe act or condition to prevent an injury-accident.
 Individuals have power to change
- Education
- Enforcement
- Etc.

7. Energy release theory
 Developed by Dr William Haddon Jr.
 Accidents are caused by the transfer of energy that has resulted in the damaging of
structure (bodily injury, death or property damage)
 Strategies can be designed to interrupt the chain of accident-causing events.
 The strategies:
- disrupt energy that can produce accidents, OR
- enhance structure that can contain accident.
 Emphasize to the physical engineering aspects of the conditions that can give rise
to accidents.

8. Example
 Fire resistive construction can strengthen the structure of the building and slow
down the energy of fire spreading across the building structure.
 Burglary resistant safes can strengthen the structure of the safes to withstand the
energies of knocking and smashing from damaging them.
 Cars that are equipped with air bags which inflate upon collision to prevent
passengers from flinging forward can reduce the impact of collision and head
injuries.

9. Domino theory VS ERT

10. Domino theory VS ERT