ABSTRACT
The Cause, Effect, and Control of Accidental Loss (CECAL) accident sequence proposed that all forms of accidental loss are triggered by the failure to identify the hazards, to analyze and evaluate the risk, and institute applicable risk-control measures in the form of a structured health and safety management system (SMS). This in turn leads to an absence of or weaknesses in the SMS, which gives rise to workplace and personal factors, commonly referred to as the root causes of accidents. These root causes then lead to high-risk behaviors being committed, and in turn allow high-risk workplace conditions to exist. These are the immediate accident causes.
Hazard identification and risk assessment forms a vital part of a good SMS. It complements and builds upon the existing skills and techniques of line managers and safety professionals. Risk assessment is a management tool, which assesses performance, enables analysis, and creates goals and standards. Failure to identify the hazards and assess and manage the organization’s risks triggers off the accident chain reaction.
