ABSTRACT

Whether a careless mishap at hOlne, an unavoidable collision on the freeway, or a miscalculation at a chemical plant, accidents are a fact of life. Even in prehistoric tilnes, long before the advent of teclmology, a club-wielding caveman swings at his prey and inadvertently topples his friend in what can only be classified as an "accident." As hUlnanity progressed, so did the severity of these lnisfortunes. The "lnodem era" has brought about assembly lines, chemical manufacturers, nuclear power plants, and other teclmological complexities, all carrying the capability of disaster. To keep pace with tlle changing times, safety precautions lnust constantly be upgraded. It is no longer sufficient, as with the caveman, to shout a warning "Watch out with that tlring!" Today's problems require lnore elaborate systems of warnings and controls to minimize the chances of serious accidents.