Accident vs. Incident, What Is the Difference?

Accident and incident get used interchangeably every day in safety, and they do not mean the same thing. Rachel Housman, CSP, CIH proves you already know the difference before she defines anything, by playing two clips and letting you notice that you pictured two completely different events. From there it gets precise. An incident is any individual occurrence, deliberately broad enough to cover near misses, security breaches, and political events. An accident is a specific kind of incident, one that happens unintentionally and usually causes harm, injury, damage, or loss. The distinction comes down to intent and outcome, and once you hear it laid out with examples, the accident versus incident debate stops being confusing. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CHAPTERS 0:00 The Debate That Never Ends Two words used constantly in safety, defined differently by nearly every organization that tries. 0:41 A Quick Test Before Any Definitions Two clips, one using each word. Notice what kind of event you pictured each time. 1:31 What Incident Actually Means An individual occurrence or event, something happening in connection with something else. The definition is frustratingly vague, and that vagueness is deliberate. 2:00 What Accident Actually Means An undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss. An accident is a type of incident, not a synonym for it. 2:25 Seeing the Difference in Context Why the question "what kind of incident" makes sense while "what kind of accident" does not, and why an accident cannot be intentional but an incident can. 3:33 Why Accident Implies a Loss of Control The word carries an unwanted outcome built into it, which is why mistake so often shows up alongside it. 4:20 The Short Answer Incident describes an event without saying how it turned out. Accident is an incident with unintended and usually undesirable consequences. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · WORTH KNOWING OSHA has moved away from the word accident in its own guidance, on the grounds that it suggests an event was random and could not have been prevented. Since nearly all worksite fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable, OSHA recommends the term incident investigation instead. https://www.osha.gov/incident-investi... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Check out our safety courses and toolbox talk videos at https://allysafety.com Don't miss out on the Ally Safety Toolbox Talk Video Membership! Click here: https://allysafety.com/products/ally-... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · For more info on Ally Safety and resources for safety pros, check us out at: Online: allysafety.com Blog: https://allysafety.com/blogs/news Instagram:   / ally_safety   Facebook:   / allysafety   LinkedIn:   / rachel-housman-csp-cih-80957163   Pinterest:   / allysafety   · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CONTACT: For subscribers and business inquiries, please use this email: hello@allysafety.com Ally Safety 720 SE 160th Ave, Ste 103, Box 134 Vancouver, WA 98683 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · DISCLAIMER: All information provided by Ally Safety is of a general nature and is furnished only for educational/entertainment purposes. No information is to be taken as legal or health and safety advice pertaining to any specific workplace, task, or organization. You agree that use of this information is at your own risk and hold Ally Safety harmless from any all losses, liabilities, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims.