Technological University of The Philippines

Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

WRITTEN REPORT: COMBINATION THEORY

BET2-M BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Page | 1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………………… 03

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 04

I. The Combination Theory of Accident Causation ……………………… 05

II. Combination Theory in Practice ……………………………………… 06

CONCLUSION ……………………………………………………………………… 08

REFERENCES ……………………………………………………………………… 09

Page | 2
 ABSTRACT

The research was all about the introduction of Combination Theory of Accident
Causation and Combination Theory in practice. Where the researchers show the definition of
Combination theory and example of it for further explanation and to fully understand the
meaning of Combination Theory. But first what is accident? And how does it happen?
Accidents happen because of the reduction in adaptable capabilities or because inadaptability
takes over. Psychological oddity factors like stress, depression, distraction substance abuse and
worries decrease adaptability of an employee or a host whereas normal person may be
inadaptable to degrading environment, corroding machine parts and bad weather or bad time.
Thus increased inadaptability or decrease of adaptability leads to accidents.

Accidents defined as unintended and unplanned single or multiple event sequences that
are caused by unsafe acts and unsafe conditions and may result in immediate or delayed
undesirable effects to workers

For some insight, Combination theory is often a degree of difference between any
theory of accident causation and reality. The actual cause may combine parts of several
different models or theories in accident causation.

Page | 3
 INTRODUCTION

Accident causes cannot be adequately explained by one model. Most of these models
give important insights but none of them wholly applies to every accident occurrence. This
paper attempts to deliver explanations why accidents occur by applying combination theory in
the accidental events. Accidents, events that injure people, damage property and faulty
equipment do not just happen because its bad time. They are not random acts of fate that occur
out of the blue. Rather accidents are the combination of events that come together to create a
flow of process where a progression of events leads to a negative outcome or an accident.

They need for a theory that reflects the difficulties in providing logical and rationale
explanations as to actually why certain events, people, equipment interacted to generate a
usually predictable outcome.

Over the years many academics of the safety profession have tried to bring logic to
create an understanding of the underlying and contributory factors that when collide from a
series of events produce the environment for an injury to occur.

Thus, the combination theory suggests that the real cause of an accident may be a
combination of different parts of these models. An accident may be caused by a combination
of a worker’s decision to overlook a potential hazard, performance of an unsafe act and
inappropriate response to an overload.

Theories and models are not necessarily true or reality. A single theory may not suit
all circumstances. Some theories address problems better than other theories. A combination
of theories and models may be the optimal approach toward problem solutions.

There are five factors in the sequence of events leading to an accident: ancestry/social
environment, fault of person, unsafe act/mechanical or physical hazard, accident, and injury.

Page | 4
 I. The Combination Theory of Accident Causation

The various models presented with their corresponding theories in this paper attempt to
explain why accidents occur. For some accidents, a given model may be very accurate. For
others, it may be less so. Often the cause of an accident cannot be adequately explained by just
one model theory. Thus, according to the combination theory, the actual cause may combine
parts of several different models. Safety personnel should use these theories as appropriate both
for accident prevention and accident investigation. However, they should avoid the tendency
to try to apply one model to all accidents since there are different kinds of models or theories
in why such accidents happened we should be aware of such things to understand fully what
are we up to. Like in these times of pandemic one way or another someone will get sicked
because of irresponsibility of others, why? Because if someone who is asymptomatic and did
not support the claims of the doctors or scientist to watch their coughing etiquette or even
wearing masks, they can transfer viruses to another person. And that person will suffer for the
irresponsibility of others. So, either we cause the accident, or we prevent or avoid accidents to
happened to another person or in our own environment. Knowing those things will raise
awareness and hopefully avoid accidents or incidents on their way.

Page | 5
 II. Combination Theory in Practice

The example gathered was based on the Theories of Accident Causation (p. 43).
Crestview Grain Corporation (CGC) maintains 10 large silos for storing corn, rice, wheat,
barley, and various other grains. Because stored grain generates fine dust and gases,
ventilation of the silos is important. These vents need to change periodically to function
properly.

There is an element of risk involved in changing the vent filters because of two potential
hazards. The first hazard comes from unvented dust and gases that can make breathing
difficult, or even worse can result to respiratory diseases. The second hazard is the grain
itself. Each silo has a catwalk that runs around its inside circumference near the top. The
catwalks give employees access to the vents that are also near the top of each silo. The silo
are almost hundred feet high of the ground and if one will fall from it will be fatal.

CGC creates rules that employees need to follow when changing filters. The rules are
strictly enforced so no accident may occur. Until one of their employees involved in a
tragedy. The maintenance and change on vents need experience to it. At that time one of
their employees are on the leave, the one who has experience in changing and maintenance
of the vents. While the one who was left to his position do not have experience to the system
of changing the vents. And his inexperience will be turned out to an accident.

When the time has come for the vents to clean and change, the inexperience one decided
to change the filters by himself and without “second man” who will help him to change and
clean it, for him second man concept was “overdoing” or a paranoid one in safety and health
precautions. So, he believes that if he follows the procedures and protocols on how to
change the vents it will turn out to be good.

There are 4 filters that need to be changed. Before he does it, he has a complete gear
from head to toe, harness, and respirator for his safety. He changed the 2 filters without
incident but when he comes to the third one, the trouble comes, where a filter is stocked
and locked in its position.

Page | 6
 So, he pulls it with all his strength and with several attempts he cannot removed it. So,
the man was bothered and mad on it and do unnecessary things that end up on the breaking
loose of the vent and push him backwards and he toppled off the catwalk. The lifeline or
harness hold him out for a little time but without the second man no one will pull him up.
So, he tried to pull himself up, but the buckle of his safety harness gave away and he fell
50 feet into the ground with grains below and results to fatal injuries.

DISCUSSION

The accident occurred revealed that several factors combined to cause the fatal
accidents – the combination theory. The most critical of these factors were as follows:

• Absence of the supervisor

Page | 7
 CONCLUSION

The researchers concluded that the actual cause that accidents happened because of
combine parts of several different models or theories that explains why accidents occur in
workplaces. It may be human fault for not following the procedures and protocols. Not
maintaining the equipment clean enough. It may be the environment. Bad weather occurs and
we cannot control it. Faulty equipment is a human error for not looking for it for time to time.
No accidents occur without valid reason. Mostly it involves human errors such as horse
playing, less awareness in their surroundings and importantly is the discipline.

Page | 8
 REFERENCES

BEST WRITING SERVICE. (nd). Free Accident Causation Theories Essay Sample. Retrieved
from.https://bestwritingservice.com/essays/Description/Accident-Causation-Theories.ht
ml?fbclid=IwAR38oKl0k_FUsbbEHa1wDdSNC4LitIu4j-oxWfFZBPFGSrZ4qO9yA-
zlj9A

Gutierrez, J. (2010). Theories of accident causation. Retrieved from

PEARSON. (nd). Occupational Safety and Health Lecture Notes. Retrieved from
https://wps.prenhall.com/chet_goetsch_occupation_7/139/35769/9157107.cw/-/915713
2/index.html#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20theory%2C%20there,hazard%2C%
20accident%2C%20and%20injury.&text=The%20combination%20theory%20of%20
accident,theory%20can%20explain%20all%20accidents.

Yumpu. (2015). THEORIES OF ACCIDENT CAUSATION - DFW Web Presence. Retrieved

Page | 9