ABSTRACT
Whether a careless mishap at home, an unavoidable collision on the freeway, or a miscalculation at a chemical plant, accidents are a fact of life. Even in prehistoric times, long before the advent of technology, a club-wielding caveman could swing at his prey and inadvertently topple his friend in what can only be classified as an “accident.” As humanity progressed, so did the severity of these misfortunes. The “modern era” has brought about assembly lines, chemical manufacturers, nuclear power plants, and other technological complexities, all carrying (to differing degrees) the capability of disaster. To keep pace with the changing times, safety precautions must constantly be upgraded. It is no longer sufficient, as with the caveman, to shout a warning “Watch out with that thing!” Today’s problems require more elaborate systems of warnings and controls to minimize the chances of serious accidents.
