ACCIDENT VS. INCIDENT

A BRILLANT SOLUTION TO AN AGE-OLD DEBATE

I don’t recall the first time it happened but I know it was several years ago. Someone told me I shouldn’t use the word accident, when referring to an event where someone or something got damaged. Instead I was told firmly, I should use the word incident. It was news to me at the time.

Though I was in the safety field as a radiation protection technician, I was a neophyte to this vernacular joust between accident and incident. Since then, well, I’ve had more discussions than toothbrushes over the topic.

My opinion is mixed. Sometimes I think it’s fine, if not best, to use the word accident since it is a common term which is understood by the masses. Yet, I see the need at times to avoid the word because it can denote a random event that couldn’t be prevented.

Incident, on the other hand has its short comings too. It actually means “an event or occurrence.” In other words, it can stand for anything that happens positive or negative. Unless you add a modifier, you could be talking about anything that happened. You can see why the debate has continued for so long.

Fret not, fellow safety leaders! I have come up with a brilliant solution!

Recently on the Linkedin group EHSQ Elite the debate reared its old head again! That did it. I figured I had to come up with some way to end this energy-draining fuss once and for all. Shortly afterwards I had a eureka moment while reading an article.

Here’s a short YouTube video of me describing this language-changing epiphany: