Accident Investigation

WHAT IS AN ACCIDENT ?

Any undesired, unplanned event arising out of employment which results in physical injury or damage to property, or the possibility of such injury or damage.

ACCIDENT CAUSES

Unsafe Act

An act by the injured person or another person (or both) which caused the accident; and/or

Unsafe Condition

Some environmental or hazardous situation which caused the accident independent of the employee(s)

WHAT IS ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION ?

“A systematic approach to accident investigation, the identification of causal factors and implementation of corrective actions is essential to a good H&S program.”

Good procedures:

• Provide information needed to determine injury rates, identify trends or problem areas, permit comparisons and satisfy Workers Compensation requirements;
• Identify, without placing blame, the basic causal factors that contributed directly or indirectly to each accident;
• Identify deficiencies in management systems;
• Suggest corrective action alternatives for a given accident;
• Suggest corrective action alternative.

WHY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION?

• Legal Requirement
• Establish Causes
• Prevent Recurrences
• Accurate record  (courts & enquiries)
• Statistical data base

THE INVESTIGATOR’s QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical Knowledge
• Objectivity
• Analytical approach to problems
• Familiarity with the job, process or operation
• Tact in communicating
• Intellectual honesty
• Inquisitiveness & curiosity

HOW TO INVESTIGATE

Determine the Facts :

• Visit accident scene,
• Take samples,
• Visual records,
• Preserve accident items,
• Identify people involved,
• Interview witnesses,
• Review information

Finding Facts

• What was the exact injury or damage ?,
• What was the cause ?,
• What event immediately preceded the damaging event ?,
• What happened before that ?,
• What happened even before that ?,
• What happened in between ?,
• What else was going on at the time of the accident ?,
• Was anyone else involved ?,
• Interview witnesses.

Interviewing Techniques

• Put at ease,
• Assure “no blame”,
• Ask witness to relate their account of the accident,
• Listen carefully,
• Ask questions – reinforce,
• Repeat if necessary,
• Ask witness for suggestions for future avoidance,
• Encourage further contact, Be polite and thank the witness.

A Good Report

• Accuracy & completeness of information,
• Clarity & completeness of of the description of the sequence of events leading up to the accident,
• Correct identification of all causal factors,
• Clarity & completeness of all causal factors,
• Recommendations made for corrective actions to reduce or eliminate the probability of recurrence of a similar accident,
• Recommendations for corrective actions to improve management system,
• Timelines – specific time periods, monitoring and responsibilities,
• Proper review and sign off.

Supporting Documentation

• Accident investigation Form
• Witness Statements & Records of Interview
• Checklists: Victim(s), Witnesses, Environment & Locations, Equipment & Parts, Documentation
• Accident/Incident Record

The effects of Accidents

• On the Victim
• On the Supervisor
• On the Institution
• On the Nation