ABSTRACT
Of all of the issues considered in this volume (entirely) man-made accidents, in their various forms, are least frequently thought of, and hence acted on, as matters of security. However, unnatural structural or mechanical failings represent a major risk to human life throughout the world and it is a risk that has grown over time and looks likely to continue to do so. The absence of explicitly threatening causal factors, be they non-human or human with ‘malice aforethought’, has led to accidents being, to a certain extent, accepted as ‘one of those things’ and safety not becoming securitized. Most accidents, though, are wholly unnatural and rooted in contemporary human societal practices which are becoming more widespread throughout the world. As such ‘technological’ and ‘traditional’ accidents are no more unavoidable than other social systemic problems like war and crime.
