Haddon’s unwanted energy release concept

There are two significant thought processes, one built on the other, of which knowledge is a requirement in professional safety practice. They are Haddon s unwanted energy release concept, extended by him to include exposures to hazardous environments, and the concepts on which MORT (management oversight and risk tree) was developed. 

Keeping Haddon s unwanted energy release concept in mind will be particularly beneficial as managements, supervisors, engineers, designers, and safety professionals... 

HADDON S UNWANTED ENERGY RELEASE AND HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT CONCEPT... 

All hazards are not addressed by the unwanted energy release concept. Examples are the potential for asphyxiation from entering a confined space filled with inert gas, or inhalation of asbestos fibers. But aU hazards are encompassed within a goal that is to avoid both unwanted energy releases and exposures to hazardous environments. Many authors have recognized the importance of Haddon s writings. 

Dr. William Haddon was the first director of the National Highway Safety Bureau. He was the originator of the unwanted energy release theory. Haddon s concept is that unwanted transfers of energy can be harmful (and wasteful) and that a systematic approach to limiting the possibility of their occurrence should be taken. His work is considered seminal. 

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