Abstract
The study of the factors that influence an individual's liability to have accidents has had a long history. Indeed, the area seems to be notable more for past attainments than for current activity. There is little evidence of any real progress after what amounts to decades of research. in short, the area gives the impression of being a research programme that has run out of steam. The purpose of this chapter is to look at the reasons for the past decline, to note some promising methodological developments in the last decade, and to argue for renewed interest and activity in this field.