breakdown of safety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakdown of safety" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a failure or collapse in safety measures or protocols, often in contexts related to accidents, incidents, or safety assessments. Example: "The investigation revealed a significant breakdown of safety protocols that contributed to the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The N.T.S.B.'s investigation of the Michigan spill identified "a complete breakdown of safety" at Enbridge, the pipeline's operator.

The New York Times

Together, we find that both washing machine and ITUD can cope with the breakdown of safety device by shutting down the system to avoid its abnormal operation.

Nature

Comparing Enbridge's employees to an utterly inept slapstick comedy police force from the 1920s, the NTSB's chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said that her "investigation identified a complete breakdown of safety at Enbridge.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The NTSB said it found a complete breakdown of company safety measures, and that Enbridge employees performed like "Keystone Kops" trying to contain it.

Huffington Post

Within Queensland, two reviews of a high profile incident resulting from a breakdown of standards and safety of hospital care were highly critical of clinical governance and culture within the organization.

Human Resources for Health

David Cameron's government must immediately act to address the prison crisis which they have caused through their failure to deal with staff shortages, overcrowding and a complete breakdown of any sense of safety in our prisons".

The Guardian

"What I saw were breakdowns in a culture of safety," said Mr. Malone.

The New York Times

Consequently, pastoralists, dependent on the rangeland resources and ecosystem services, were displaced and exposed to incremental risks, poverty and a breakdown of social networks and safety nets as well as decline in rangeland productivity.

Pastoralism

This salmonella outbreak is just the latest -- and it represents the full-scale breakdown of a patchwork food safety system -- a dysfunctional federal agency in the FDA unable to perform its mission and protect the American public.

Huffington Post

This is regarded as a factor of safety to cover breakdowns, mishaps, and labour troubles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The report did not pin the accident on any one of these mistakes, but rather attributed it to a broader breakdown of communication and a lack of a culture of safety at the companies involved.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "breakdown of safety", specify which aspects of safety failed (e.g., procedural safeguards, equipment maintenance) to provide a clear understanding of the issue.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there was a "breakdown of safety" without detailing the underlying causes. Investigate and articulate specific factors such as inadequate training, flawed equipment, or negligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breakdown of safety" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state where established safety protocols or measures have failed or are no longer effective. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breakdown of safety" effectively describes a failure or collapse in safety measures. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts, denoting compromised or failed safety protocols. To enhance clarity, it is crucial to specify which aspects of safety experienced a "breakdown". Alternatives like "failure of safety measures", "lapse in safety", or "compromised safety" can offer subtle variations in meaning. When using "breakdown of safety", detailing the specific contributing factors ensures a clear and comprehensive understanding of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse of safety

Conveys a complete and sudden failure of safety systems.

failure of safety measures

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness or non-implementation of planned safety precautions.

safety failure

A more concise term for a safety system not performing as intended.

decline in safety

Suggests a general reduction in the level of safety.

lapse in safety

Focuses on a temporary failure or error in safety protocols.

compromised safety

Indicates a state where safety has been weakened or put at risk.

weakening of safety protocols

Highlights that the safety protocols are becoming less effective.

erosion of safety standards

Highlights a gradual decline in the quality and enforcement of safety protocols.

deterioration of safety

Focuses on the degradation and decay of safety conditions over time.

undermining of safety

Implies that safety is being actively weakened, often insidiously.

FAQs

How can the phrase "breakdown of safety" be used in a sentence?

You can use "breakdown of safety" to describe situations where safety measures have failed. For example: "The investigation revealed a complete "breakdown of safety" at the plant, leading to the accident."

What's a good alternative to "breakdown of safety"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "failure of safety measures", "lapse in safety", or "compromised safety".

What does a "breakdown of safety" typically imply?

A "breakdown of safety" usually suggests a systemic failure rather than an isolated incident, indicating problems with processes, oversight, or training.

Is "breakdown of safety" a formal or informal term?

"Breakdown of safety" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more technical reports may prefer "failure of safety measures" for added precision.