A good indication that RoSPA is on the right lines when it says 'Accidents don't have to happen' is that, in reality, only a tiny minority actually do.

Any human endeavour is always full of potential for adverse, unplanned outcomes - from a major explosion at a chemical plant killing hundreds, to an old person tumbling down a flight of stairs and spending many days in hospital.

We are, every day and in every situation, surrounded by hazards - and thus exposed to the risk of harm. So why does this exposure not convert much more often to calamity and injury?  In large part it is because - and generally speaking this is achieved unconsciously - as individuals and organisations, we are constantly identifying what might go awry and are adopting measures to prevent things tipping into disaster and/or we are taking steps to reduce the seriousness of consequences if they do.