Final answer:
The two categories of immediate cause of accidents are human error, such as failure to follow instructions, and technical failure, like malfunctioning equipment. Addressing these causes is crucial for improving safety measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two categories of immediate cause of accidents/incidents are typically classified as human error and technical failure. Human error encompasses situations where an accident is caused by individuals not following instructions or procedures, such as an industrial accident occurring due to failure to adhere to safety guidelines. Technical failure refers to accidents caused by the malfunctioning of equipment or infrastructure, like an electrical hazard due to thermal overloading or a shock hazard. Understanding and addressing these causes are crucial in preventing future accidents and improving safety measures.
For example, using the provided information, if a safety engineer finds that 35 percent of industrial accidents at their plant are due to employees not following instructions, this would fall under the category of human error. On the other hand, thermal hazards or shock hazards from electrical equipment would be classified under technical failures. Such categorization helps in targeting specific safety training and maintenance protocols to mitigate risks.