SafetyCatalog
Accident definition
Contents
Linguistic accident definition
Noun – Accident is an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
Noun – “An event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause”.
Philosophy –a property of a thing which is not essential to its nature (in Aristotelian thought).
OSHA definition
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), defines the term “accident” in the following way:
“Accident” is defined as an unplanned event that results in personal injury or property damage.
IOSH definition
Accident can be commonly defined as:
“an undesired, uncontrolled or unplanned event, from the action of an object or substance, and resulting in loss. for example, harm or damage”.
NEBOSH definition
“Undesired event, giving rise to death, ill-health, injury, damage or other loss”.
“Unplanned, unwanted event which causes loss of some kind”.
“An incident can become an accident (Brick Falling..)”
OHSAS 18001 definition
The OHSAS 18001 standard focuses on the definition of an incident.
An accident is regarded as a particular type of incident in which an injury or illness actually occurs.
ISO 45001 definition
The same view of OHSAS standard, the accident An incident where injury and ill health occurs is sometimes referred to as “accident”.
Business definition
” In general, an unplanned, unexpected, and undesigned (not purposefully caused) event which occurs suddenly and causes injury or loss, a decrease in value of the resources, or an increase in liabilities”.
As a technical term ‘accident’ does not have a clearly defined legal meaning. In insurance terminology, accident is the events which is not deliberately caused, and which is not inevitable.
For example, if a driver (who is covered under personal automobile insurance for injury and losses due to negligence) willfully drives the vehicle into a tree, the resulting injury or loss is not insured.
