Accident Investigation & Reporting

Accident Investigation & Reporting

Chapter 19

Goetsch

Why investigate?

Find the cause

Prevent future accidents

Gather factual info

Indirect causes

Action items & improvements determined

When should you investigate?

As soon as emergency procedures have been implemented

Immediate

Produces more accurate information

Info before the scene is changed

Info before witnesses compare notes

Demonstrated commitment

What should you investigate?

Purpose is to collect & record facts

Not find fault

Who, what, when, where, why, & how

Objective and analytical

Recommended questions p.389

Who should investigate?

Depends on:

Size of company

Structure of the company’s H&S program

Type & seriousness of accident

Happened before?

Management commitment

Conducting the investigation

Isolate the scene

Record all evidence

Photograph/video the scene

Identify witnesses

Interview the witnesses

Isolate the scene

Goal - maintain scene as closely as possible to the condition at the time of the accident

Isolate until all pertinent evidence is gathered

Remove nothing from the site

Security guard

Record all evidence

Permanent record of evidence as quickly as possible

Evidence may be perishable

Evidence may be destroyed or altered

Pressure to get the equipment operating

Photograph/video tape

If in doubt, shoot it

Use objects to give scale or perspective

Identify witnesses

Primary - saw it happen

Secondary - didn’t see it but on the scene soon afterwards

Tertiary - not present but have relevant information

Interviewing witnesses

All witnesses should be interviewed as quickly as possible

Primary, secondary, tertiary

Reinterview witnesses to clarify or corroborate

Interviewing witnesses

Immediacy

Best recollection

Witnesses compare notes

Where to interview

At the scene

Private, non-threatening location

No other witnesses with them

How to Interview witnesses

Put witness at ease & listen

Open ended questions

Take notes - be careful

Should you tape the interview?

Tone and transcripts

Inhibits responses

Reporting accidents

Record the findings

Identify the causes

Recommend corrective actions

Required reports

11 or more employees

10 or fewer if

Participating in Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Death of employee or hospitalization of 5 or more employees

Required recording

If they result in:

Death

One or more lost days

Restriction of motion or work

Loss of consciousness

Transfer to another job

Medical treatment

Information recorded

Should include:

pp. 440-441

Other data relating to the incident

Why accidents are not reported

Red tape

Ignorance of reasons for reporting

Embarrassment

Record spoiling

Repercussion/fear

No feedback - waste of time

Discipline

Don’t discipline for having an accident

Discipline for noncompliance with rules and regulations, always