TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE CHANGED THE

SAFETY MOVEMENT
• Safety and health tragedies in the workplace have
greatly accelerated the pace of the
safety movement in the United States. Three of the
most significant events in the history
of the safety and health movement were the Hawk’s
Nest tragedy, asbestos menace, and
the Bhopal tragedy.
Hawk’s Nest tragedy
 Asbestos Menace

• Asbestos was once considered a “miracle” fiber, but

in 1964, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff told 400 scientists at a
conference on the biological effects of asbestos that
this widely used material was killing workers.
• This conference changed how Americans viewed not
just asbestos, but workplace hazards in general.
Bhopal Tragedy
MODERN SAFETY AND HEALTH TEAMS
SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGER
Problems Safety and Health Managers
Face
• Lack of Commitment
• Production versus Safety
• Company-Wide Commitment to Safety and Health
• Lack of Resources
• Productivity, Quality, Cost, and Response Time
• Image and Service
• Education and Training for Safety and Health
Managers
• Helpful Agencies and Organizations