Accident Causation Theories at Stinson Shipping

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Accident Causation Theories at Stinson Shipping A review of the case study at Stinson Shipping showed that there were numerous safety violations within the shipping yard that involved a combination of accident causation theories. The first accident causation theory that is applicable to this case study is the Human Factor. Tom Murphy, the loading dock manager, was aware of the type of hazardous cargo that needed to be processed that day, and the special safety precautions that were needed. The first of three parts that make up Human Factor is overload, where in this instance Tom’s capacity was his stress level leading up to the accident. Tom’s load involved the task of moving caustic lye as an express ticket, and the burden resulting from environmental, internal, and situational factors. The environmental factor was his distraction from what Mike Morello, the dock's equipment manager, was trying to explain to him about the forklift’s mechanical problems. The internal factor was Tom’s stress level with completing the task on time. The situational factors were 1) the increased level of risk involved with moving this product while there was a mechanical problem to the forklift. 2) Mike not fully explaining the possible ramifications from a hydraulic failure, if he completed a temporary fix. Tom’s response to the situation was inappropriate and incompatible just so he could increase output. Directing Mike to make the temporary fix to the forklift that should have remained out of service for major repairs was the inappropriate response, from established safety procedures. The fact that Tom did not take the degree of risk involved in using the forklift around the highly toxic chemicals into account was a misjudgment resulting in injuries to one of his employee’s. The second accident causation theory that applies is “the accident/incident theory, which is an
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