Energy Release Theory

Energy Release Theory — a theory of accident causation and control, developed by Dr. William Haddon Jr., that portrays accidents in terms of energy transference. This transfer of energy, in large amounts and/or at rapid rates, can adversely affect living and nonliving objects, causing injury and damage. Thus, an accident is caused by energy out of control. The theory states that various techniques can be employed to reduce accidents, including preventing the buildup of energy, reducing the initial amount of energy, preventing the release of energy, carefully controlling the release of energy, and separating the energy being released from the living or nonliving object.