Heinrich's Law
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Behind every major accident, there are 29 minor accidents and 300 potential hazards (Near Misses). Accidents are not random bad luck but the inevitable result of accumulated hazards. -
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Iceberg-style risk control. - Don't wait until someone dies to take corrective action. When the first "near miss" occurs, the highest level of response should be initiated. The same applies to personal health: serious illnesses often result from hundreds of times of "feeling a bit tired but not taking it seriously." Eliminating those 300 hazards is the only way to avoid the "one."
Anchor fast decisions
Heinrich's safety pyramid: behind every serious injury or fatality, there are about 29 minor injuries and 300 near-miss signs or hazards; accidents are not isolated but accumulate from many hazards, and addressing small hazards can prevent major accidents.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/4Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_William_Heinrichverified
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