"Downgrading: a professional loss control term for any incident or accident which potentially or actually causes personal or property loss."
http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DM/documents/trainaccidreductio...

"INTRODUCTION
Loss control is an activity driven by people. It is just as subject to fashion, fad, and whim as any other people-driven activity. A downgrading incident can be isolated, described, and shown to degrade health, physical well-being, or condition of a person. Equipment is downgraded when it is damaged; processes are downgraded when they are interrupted. Downgrading incidents are inescapable when the unqualified are allowed to exercise judgment and make decisions. To rationally approach the challenge of loss control, managers need a sound theory from which to develop strategies. William Haddon Jr.'s "Energy Transfer Theory" and his accompanying "10 Strategies for Loss Reduction" combine to make a solid foundation for loss control policies. After defining loss and technology's contribution to severity, Haddon's 10 strategies will be introduced as a framework for thinking toward action. Loss-control theories help prevent injury and property damage."
http://tinyurl.com/downgrading-incident