Heinrich Deserves His Due, But It’s Time to Move On

In his thought-provoking article, “Reviewing Heinrich: Dislodging Two Myths From the Practice of Safety” (Professional Safety, Oct. 2010, pp. 52-61), renowned author and ASSE Fellow Fred Manuele takes a hard look at H.W. Heinrich’s often-cited 88-10-2 ratios regarding incident causes and his 300-29-1 ratios regarding major injuries.

Although Manuele gives Heinrich his due for promoting greater attention to occupational safety and health, he examines the misdirection that has resulted from applying some of Heinrich’s premises as truisms. “Heinrich’s study resulting in the 88-10-2 ratios was made in the late 1920s,” Manuele writes. “Both the relationship of a study made then to the work world as it now exists and the methods used in producing it are questionable and unknown.” He adds, “Use of the 300-29-1 ratios is troubling. Applying this premise leads to misdirection in resource application and ineffectiveness, particularly with respect to preventing serious injuries.” Essentially, Manuele says, these premises are incompatible with current knowledge, a fact that should prompt direct action, he concludes: “Safety professionals should ensure that the Heinrich misconceptions discussed in this article are discarded by the profession.”

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