Man‐made disasters: the failure of foresight

Abstract

Investigates the stages that precede a disaster, switching the emphasis from the role of the emergency services to the responsibilities of management. Investigates three UK disasters: the collapsing colliery tip at the Welsh village of Aberfan in 1966; a collision at an automatic railway crossing at Hixon in England in 1968, between a large road transporter, carrying a transformer, and a train; and a fire at Summerland holiday leisure complex on the Isle of Man — all these events included large loss of life. Concludes that in modern times disasters arising from unknown or unsuspected sources are very rare but depend on information being correctly assessed.