The Evolution of Safety: A Historical Perspective and Future Trends (2024)

FAQs

What is the evolution of safety? ›

Over time, the concept of safety has evolved significantly, reflecting the changing needs of society. From ancient civilizations prioritizing safety during construction to the Industrial Revolution prompting the implementation of safety measures in workplaces, the historical journey of safety measures is fascinating.

SAFETY FIRST MOVEMENT, a twentieth-century movement to reduce workplace hazards. Severe accidents were common—and much higher than in Europe—in the large industries of the nineteenth century. In 1877, Massachusetts pioneered in the establishment of factory safeguards and, in 1886, in the reporting of accidents.

These are discussed in terms of the different phases or 'ages' of safety management: The 'technological' age; the 'human' age; the 'organisational' age; and the 'systems' or 'holistic' age.

The term “safety culture” was first used in the wake of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power facility. It is used to signify a “commitment to safety at all levels, from frontline providers to managers and executives” (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)).

The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 14th century. It is derived from Latin "salvus", meaning uninjured, in good health, safe.

Automation and digitalization are increasingly critical in enhancing process safety in various industries nowadays. Implementing these cutting-edge technologies allows for improved efficiency, increased product quality, and enhanced proactive safety measures through systems like safety instrumented systems.

The safety-first rule is a principle of modern portfolio theory ( MPT), which believes the risk is an inherent part of reaping a higher reward level. Safety first, in this case, means reducing the probability of negative returns.

Born from the personal experience and desire of one man, Michael Lerner, to keep children safe, especially during car trips, Safety 1st was created in the USA in 1984. The original “Baby on board” road sign the brand was selling then is still a best seller now.

The first known safe dates back to the 13th century BC and was found in the tomb of Pharaoh Ramesses II. It was made of wood and consisted of a locking system resembling the modern pin tumbler lock. In the 16th century, blacksmiths in southern Germany, Austria, and France first forged cash boxes in sheet iron.

Safety professionals know that at its core a good safety program requires the three E's: establish, educate and enforce. Specifically, establish specific safety rules, educate employees about those rules and the hazards they face on the job, and enforce those rules consistently.

What are the 4 C's of safety management? ›

The Four Cs

To help create a positive safety culture, remember 'the 4 Cs': Control. Communication. Co-operation.

William Herbert Heinrich, the father of safety, made lasting contributions to the field of industrial safety. His Safety Triangle and the 300:29:1 theory remain relevant tools in understanding and addressing workplace safety concerns.

Safety First is a phrase we've all heard, but where did it come from? It originates from the Safety First Movement, a 20th century movement to reduce workplace hazards. The phrase has been in use since in the United States since the 1910s. It also became popular in Japan around this same time.

Safety culture is defined as the shared values, beliefs, assumptions, and norms which may govern organizational decision making, as. well as individual and group attitudes about safety.

Symptoms of a poor safety culture can include: widespread, routine deviations from procedures. failure to comply with the company's safety management system. management decisions that appear to consistently put production or cost before safety. lack of learning from experience.

Safes have evolved from wooden boxes with simple locks to reinforced fire-resistant containers with complex electronic and even biometric locks. And vaults have developed from temple roofs to sophisticated underground climate-controlled facilities in the arctic circle…

THE EMERGENCE OF SAFETY CULTURE

Technical safety has been part of the design and operations of high hazard facilities for several decades. In the early years, society simply trusted the designers and operators to address safety in their design and their operating and maintenance procedures (see Figure 1).

The evolution of the patient safety perspectives, the technological age, the human factor age and the safety management age, have no clear cut and coexist.

Social Safety Theory is grounded in the understanding that the primary purpose of the human brain and immune system is to keep the body biologically and physically safe.