What is it about people, an office, or a work scenario that
causes accidents? The U.S. Census Bureau reported in the year
2000 that the following general categories of causes resulted in
fatal work injuries: Some of the factors associated with
accidents and loss have been identified as those relating to
management style and beliefs, human resource policies,
operational procedures, and storage of supplies and merchandise.
Let us examine how each of these factors contributes to
workplace accidents. The way a manager approaches obligations,
and the beliefs about personnel and the nature of work affect
the way in which the person manages. Managers, as leaders, work
within two dimensions — 1) attention to task (i.e., what needs
to be done), and 2) attention to relationships (i.e.,
interaction with subordinates). A manager's beliefs about what
really matters has a great impact on how she or he chooses to
exert leadership. The issue of safety and the costs of accidents
and injuries generally are not apparent to mana