In 1735, Benjamin Franklin wroteExternal that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We might think he was referring to health and medicine—not so. Mr. Franklin was recommending a metal enclosure to prevent bits of hot coals from starting a building fire. He also recommended training and equipping firefighters. One solution involved technology, and the other involved the organization of work; yet both were systems designed to prevent harm.
The concept of designing-out hazards is not new. It remains the most effective way to prevent harm. Unfortunately, history shows us that it is a concept used all too little.