Introduction
An accident is an unexpected, unusual, specific, and unintended action happening at a place and at a specific time. Accidents are never predicted and they hit the individual at any particular time anywhere, no matter what he/she is doing. A disaster is the same as a catastrophe as it refers to a tragedy that occurs either naturally or caused by human beings, leading to negative effects on the people, society, or the environment. A disaster is tragic and can lead to very adverse effects. They include earthquakes, floods, accidents, fires, or bombings. World wide accidents occur naturally and every day, they cause loss of lives, damage to property, disabilities of individuals, adverse effects on the environment, and displacements of people from their homes (Matthews & Feather, 2003, p. 5).
Recently, accidents and catastrophes have become more common with the daily occurrence of accidental fires, bombings, sinking of ships carrying oil in the ocean, car accidents, train accidents, tsunamis, hurricanes, and chemical spills from laboratories among others. The effects of accidents and catastrophes are always harmful, and never leave one the same he/she was before the accident occurred. With the situation even more unpredictable, people have to stay alert and be prepared for any eventuality while the relevant authorities should have precautionary resources to mitigate the effects of such disasters (Perrow, 1999, p. 353).
This paper gives an understanding of disasters, accidents, and catastrophes, and the different types of accidents and catastrophes. It gives the difference between natural technological and social accidents such as; terrorism, and criminal acts, and manmade accidents and catastrophes. It discusses how numerous variables are intertwined to produce disasters and catastrophes. The life cycle of disasters is also mentioned as well as the best ways to prevent the recurrence of a disaster. It gives the management procedures of disasters and concludes by emphasizing the importance of education in the management of a disaster.
Categories of accidents and catastrophes
Types of accidents are divided into physical and non-physical, by activity, and by a locomotive. Physical accidents are unforeseen colliding or falling, or injuries caused to the physical being of a person, i.e. by getting pricked, getting burned, or food poisoning. Non-physical includes those that affect the mind of the individual. Categorization by activity are the accidents related to the work done, e.g. while driving, one can cause an accident. Finally, categorization by vehicle or locomotive involves the means used to travel to describe the accident, e.g. by bicycle, car, ship or cruise, train, airplanes and so on (Matthews, Smith, & Knowles, 2009, p.7).
Disasters and catastrophes are either natural or man-made. Natural disasters are a result of a natural occurrence; this natural occurrence may be of many kinds. The natural disaster caused may be due to; too many rains which cause floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, land/mudslides, epidemics, tidal waves, drought, and famine (Lomborg, 2000, p. 85).
Land movement catastrophes include avalanches, earthquakes, lahars (which is a volcanic flow or slide), landslides and mudflows, and volcanic eruptions. Water-related disasters include; floods, limnic eruptions, and tsunamis. Weather-related disasters or catastrophes include; blizzards, cyclonic storms, droughts, hailstorms, heat waves, tornados (which are Supercell tornadoes, gustnado, waterspout, dust devils, and firewhilrs), wildfires caused by lightning and natural fires, health and disease epidemic, and famines caused due to prolonged drought (Perrow, 1999, p. 360). Most of these natural catastrophes are related and normally come in sequence, e.g. an earthquake may cause a tsunami. They are normally referred to as the act of God, and therefore man has no control or direct involvement in their occurrence or causation.
Manmade catastrophes are those that man is directly linked to their occurrence, by negligence, errors, technological influences, or system failure. Moreover, they are further divided into technological and sociological disasters (Matthews & Feather, 2003, p. 7).
Technological manmade disasters are those that are from technology, innovated, and created by man. When in use, the technology may fail or cause accidents physically, e.g. transport, or may even cause environmental damages (Lancaster, 2000, p. 27). Sociological catastrophes are those that are directly related to man whereby man causes harm to other humans. They also have a link to strong human motives where man plans to harm society. These disasters may include acts of terrorism, criminal involvement, stampedes, riots, wars, and battles.
Numerous variables interact to produce disasters and catastrophes. This is seen where the involvement of all accidents is caused by the occurrence of other related activities. As discussed earlier, most disasters and catastrophes are consequential, e.g. the occurrence of an earthquake in the ocean will lead to a tsunami, and the occurrence of heavy strong winds may lead to a tornado or hurricane, and so on. Earthquakes may also lead to mudslides. Severally occurring hazards that are situational may cause a threat to life, health, property, or the environment, leading to the occurrence of major catastrophes (Perrow, 1999, p. 361).
Terrorism is a result of technological advancement by society. On the other hand, natural droughts are normally due to long or prolonged spells of dry weather. Generally, the occurrence of natural disasters may be reputed since even those that are appearing to be natural in modern times are indirectly related to mean causation. The effect of global warming which has changed the climate and weather patterns for the last few decades throughout the world is caused by man technologies. The much-known earthquakes are triggered by man when he is mining minerals underground, thus causing instability in the ground systems and finally leading to ground shaking (an experience of the earthquake).
Natural fires caused by intense heat in the plains have been also affected by man where the global warming effects cause high temperatures on the globe, leading to fires, or even droughts. Health and diseases epidemics may lead to many deaths caused due to human ignorance of certain procedures or lack of hygiene. If they spread globally, then they are referred to as a pandemic. Recently there have been cases of bird flu, swine flu (H1N1 influenza), Human Immune Virus (HIV) which causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) (Perrow, 1999, p. 56).
Modern-day threats and the frequency of occurrence
Modern-day threats are on the increase everywhere in the world. They have been characterized by terrorism, health epidemics, and technological attacks or wars. The frequencies of disasters are generally high in the areas of political interference, religion, and battle for supremacy by man. Modern-day man can be described as a disaster and catastrophe loving, if the images and news which flood the TV and newspapers, where hardly a week passes without a sociological disaster occurring are to be taken into consideration.
Terrorism has been on the rise and events of September 11, 2001, involving bombings on Times Towers in New York, the US embassies bombing in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998, and attacks on the US bases in Sudan, the attacks of 2000 millennium attack pilots where the Los Angeles International Airport was threatened with attempted bombings and the London and Spain have been major events of terrorism in the globe (Matthews & Feather, 2003, p. 19).
Modern man has developed weapons that are used to attack fellow human beings. These are the acts of terrorism that are being discouraged by the leaders who love peace. Recently, terrorists have learned a new way to terrorize individuals with suicide bombing becoming a common practice. One blows himself off and dies along with other individuals. These explosives are tied around the body of the assassin and then he walks to a crowded place and blows himself up causing the loss of innocent lives. This is the worst kind of sociological disaster and catastrophe facing man in the 21st century.
Several groups of terrorists have been named for such acts, with the most common name on everyone’s mind being Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. Other groups include the Taliban. These acts of terrorism target non expectant individuals who may not be related in whatever mean with the circumstances leading to terrorism. Bombing in the Middle East and fighting among Palestine and Israelites have been unresolved for a long. War in Afghanistan and Iraq by the US soldiers still range on with most of the civilians and soldiers losing a life.
The best cause of terrorism is leaders who never love peace. They use force which leads to terrorism instead of approaches that can protect the well-being of citizens e.g. negotiations. Accidents have also been on the rise; train accidents that kill hundreds, and car accidents that kill and leave many disabled are a common menace in the current world (Lomborg, 1998, p. 87).
The life cycle of disasters and catastrophes
Disaster is generally seen in the context of a life cycle where certain disasters occur annually, or occasionally. They are classified as disasters because people do not know the exact time to expect them. The disaster life cycle in the UK occurs as normally as the occurrence of other disasters in the globe. Disaster management must involve all the management issues that a catastrophe is going to affect which include finance, risk assessment, and training. The UK disaster management plans are focused on organizations such as world vision and other disaster management bodies. The disaster control plan must be easy to follow, immediate, have a ratified policy, and have enough resources to counter the resource (Lancaster, 2000, p. 5).
Management of a disaster involves recuperating from the effects of a disaster that has already occurred and minimizing the effects on the people who are aggrieved or are potentially aggrieved. It is impossible to stop or prevent an occurrence of a disaster, but the effects with proper disaster management resources, the effects of the disaster can be mitigated satisfactorily. The management plan must consist of the prevention of the second occurrence, preparedness, reaction/response, and the recovery and post-recovery factors in the counter mechanism of the disaster or catastrophe (Matthews, & Feather, 2003, p.20).
Since it is never possible to fully avoid the occurrence of catastrophe, the process will aim at minimizing potential risks. This can be achieved by inventing early warnings to the catastrophes, for example, earthquakes can be detected earlier and evict people from disaster-prone areas before a major disaster happens. In addition, efforts need to be made in developing and implementing plans to give resilience to disasters using the available resources effectively, for instance, by communicating about the disaster immediately after it is detected. The post events period should be used to focus on the occurrences of such disasters as well as both positive and negative influences (Matthews, Smith, & Knowles, 2009). Counter-terror mechanisms or the war on terror is also an area where the UK has been keen to focus; security is on high alert especially to people linked to the terror groups, explosive material detections, and antiterrorism policemen everywhere.
Social disasters such as crime are not preventable but strict measures are in place to punish the perpetrators of justice and prevent the further occurrence or minimize the effects. Many organizations are now equipped with an Occupational Health Safety & and welfare committee. These may be wardens or security officers who are conversant with the health and safety hazards in the workplace. They organize a disaster response committee to manage the safety of the individuals working there (Lomborg, 1998, 124).
The safety of buildings should not be compromised. The presence of exit doors and clear signs to show emergency exits must be availed in all buildings. Moreover, every building should be equipped with effective, efficient, and working fire fighting equipment and other safety equipment that can help counter the disasters such as fires. Dangerous substances must be kept away from working places and depots, explosive goods used in the household should have clearly indicated instructions to prevent accidental fires.
The goods should not also be placed in places where people are seen too often or regally flock e.g. supermarkets. Stampedes are common at joints or entertainment spots, especially where an important function is happening to make them more prone to catastrophes. The organizer of such events should allocate the maximum capacity of attendants in any event and organize for additional space in case there is overcrowding. Prevention is better than cure, hence at all times, one should emphasize the best way to prevent a risk from happening (Matthews, Smith & Knowles, 2009, p. 41). The aftermath of such disasters can best be avoided by ensuring oneself or property.
Several insurance companies have different rates of valuing any risk; this will enable the client to be restored to close levels where he was before the event happened. Droughts affect countries that are not properly planned and the effects of drought can be minimized by having enough reserves in any country. Although the effects of war are inevitable, avoiding the occurrence of war is of paramount importance. Black spots should be clearly marked and warnings placed for all to see in order to avoid car or train accidents.
Conclusion
Disasters, accidents, and catastrophes are unavoidable and that is a fact that one can’t erase. With the various disasters glaring, including the most recent social disaster, terrorism, then everyone should keep on looking for any threat or sign that might give early warnings. People have generally been seen to have very unsafe modes to approach disasters, e.g. crowding at the scene of the disaster, covering wounds unsafely, among others. Education on disaster management and preparedness should be the first priority in the fight against bad handling of disasters. Many people are affected adversely by the effects of a disaster or catastrophe due to the response they have on the disaster (Matthews, Smith, & Knowles, 2009, p. 45). Recent technological advancements in all areas have not spared individuals from disasters and accidents.
There should be a regulation of such technology. Any technology that can have an adverse effect on the life of human beings should be discouraged. The threats by terrorists have been common and all people are involved in it since everyone is at risk. Managing the risk will only take the government’s effort to negotiate with the relevant parties on defusing or countering terrorist attacks. Negotiation is one of the best solutions since fewer people will get harmed. The UK is a safer place but making it the safest destination is the responsibility of every citizen. Safety is going to affect the economic and financial levels since it will be a haven for investors and tourists who will want to feel at home on stress-free holidays.
Glossary
- Accident: – is an unexpected, unusual, specific, and unintended action happening at a place and time
- Disaster: – a tragedy that occurs either naturally or caused by a human that leads to negative effects on the people, society, or environment.
- Catastrophe: – a terrible event that occurs either naturally or caused by technological effects that leads to negative effects on the people, society, or environment.
- Terrorism: – An act of terror or violence that aims at killing oneself and others giving signs of war. Islamic term used to express Jihad (Holy war).
- Management: – planning, organizing, controlling to enable solving the problem of disasters and catastrophe.
- Disaster control plan: – the plan/steps used in the management of a disaster.
- Pandemic: – a spread infection of illness or disease that has spread globally.
Works Cited
Lancaster, John. Engineering catastrophes: causes and effects of major accidents.Cambridge, Abington Publishing. 2000. Web.
Lomborg, Bjom. The skeptical environmentalist: measuring the real state of the world. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1998. Web.
Matthews, Graham & Feather, John. Disaster management for libraries and archives. Hampshire, Ashgate Publishing Limited. 2003. Web.
Matthews, Graham, Smith, Yvonne & Knowles, Gemma. Disaster Management in Archives, Libraries and Museums. Farnham, Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 2009. Web.
Perrow, Charles. Normal accidents: living with high-risk technologies.Sussex, Princeton University Press. 1999. Web.