Safety and Injury Prevention - PATH-216

Safety and Injury Prevention

• The course is PATH-216
• The learning objectives aim to define injury and accident, understand differences, identify prevention levels, and minimize workplace injuries.
• An injury is physical or psychological harm caused by an external force. Common examples include cuts, bruises, sprains, fractures, burns, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Injuries can range from minor to severe, and their severity depends on type of damage, location, extent of damage, and person's overall health/access to medical care. Occur in various settings like accidents, sports, workplace incidents, or violence.
• An accident is an unexpected, unintentional event resulting in harm, damage, injury, or loss. Examples include traffic accidents, slips and falls, occupational accidents, home accidents, sports/recreational accidents, medical accidents, and natural disasters. Accidents are often unintentional, but can also result from other causes.
• Preventing accidents is important in fields like safety engineering, public health, and workplace safety.
• Injuries and accidents are different. Injuries focus on the actual incurred harm. Accidents focus on the event/incident that led to the harm. Injuries can result from accidents but also other causes.

Differences Between Injuries and Accidents

• Accidents are unexpected events resulting in physical harm or damage; implies that harm was unintentional.
• Injuries are broader and encompass varying harm types, whether caused by accidents or other events.
• Accidents are typically associated with unintended incidents.
• An injury focuses on the harm/damage/loss to a person; an accident emphasizes the event that caused the harm.

Levels of Prevention

• Primary prevention aims to prevent an injury or disease before it occurs. This includes health education, immunizations, and legislation/policy.
• Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention for existing conditions. It includes things like screenings and early intervention programs.
• Tertiary prevention focuses on managing and rehabilitating individuals with existing conditions, aims to reduce impact of conditions.

Principles of Road Traffic Safety

• Education and awareness
• Law enforcement
• Infrastructure improvements
• Vehicle safety
• Speed management
• Collaboration and partnership with vulnerable road users

Factors Influencing Traffic Accidents

• Human: Age, experience, alcohol/drug use, speed, helmet use, tolerance, physical condition.
• Vehicle: Defects, breaks, tires, avoidance systems, air bags, automatic seat belts, crash worthiness, post crash, fuel leaks, fire.
• Environment: Pavement condition, visibility, signals, construction, guard rails, medians, breakaway posts, EMS system, bystander care.

Steps to Minimize Workplace Injuries

• Develop and enforce safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety training.
• Identify and control hazards.
• Encourage reporting and investigation of incidents.
• Promote ergonomic practices..
• Maintain equipment and machinery..
• Encourage a culture of safety.
• Provide PPE.
• Monitor and address workplace stress.
• Review and improve safety measures regularly.

Creating a Safe Work Environment

• Safe work environments require commitment and involvement from employers and employees.
• Implementing strategies and fostering a safety culture reduces workplace injury risk and promotes workforce well-being.

Test your knowledge on safety and injury prevention concepts covered in PATH-216. This quiz will help you define key terms, understand the differences between injuries and accidents, and identify effective prevention strategies in various settings. Prepare to minimize workplace injuries with this essential knowledge!