Accident causation theories help us understand how and why accidents happen by analyzing contributing factors. Two primary frameworks for understanding these factors are serial and parallel theories.
Heinrich’s Domino Theory: A Serial Theory
Heinrich’s Domino Theory is a classic example of a serial accident causation theory. It suggests that accidents occur due to a sequence of events, much like a line of falling dominoes. In this framework, each event directly leads to the next. If one domino is removed or stopped, the chain reaction is interrupted, and the accident can be prevented.
