Understanding the Heinrich Domino Theory A Foundation of Industrial Safety

The Heinrich Domino Theory, proposed by H.W. Heinrich in the 1930s, is one of the earliest and most influential models in the field of occupational health and safety. The theory revolutionized how industries think about workplace accidents, emphasizing that most incidents are not random but result from a chain of events — much like a row of falling dominos. When the first domino topples, a predictable sequence unfolds, ultimately leading to injury.