Work Place Committees and Health and Safety Representatives Training Module 4 - HAZARDOUS OCCURRENCE INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 2 Hazardous Occurrences Defined Accident: An undesired event that results in injury or occupational illness to a person or damage to equipment, material or facilities

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 3 Hazardous Occurrences Defined Incident: An undesired event that could have but does not result in personal injury or occupational illness or damage to equipment, material or facilities. Better known as a “Near Miss” but “Near Hit” is more accurate description.

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 4 Disabling Injury Defined prevents an employee from reporting for work or from performing all the duties connected with the employee’s regular work on any day after the day on which the injury or disease occurred, results in the loss of a body part or the complete loss of use of a body part, or results in the permanent impairment of a body function.

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 5 Minor Injury Defined an employment injury or illness for which medical treatment is provided and excludes a disabling injury. In other words, no time lost beyond the day of injury.

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 6 Records and Reporting - Minor injuries Records must be kept for ten years Annual report to HRSDC by March 1 st First aid injuries are minor injuries, but: – Records must be kept for two years – Reported in above totals

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 7 First Aid Register Why bother filling it out? Are all employees aware of the importance of completing it ???

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 8 Records and Reporting – Disabling Injuries Records must be kept for ten years Investigated, recorded and reported to HRSDC within fourteen days

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 9 Responsible Manager Shall: Appoint someone qualified to investigate the hazardous occurrence; Notify the work place committee (or rep) of the hazardous occurrence and of the person appointed to investigate it; and Take necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of the hazardous occurrence

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 10 “Qualified Person” Defined a person who, because of knowledge, training and experience, is qualified to perform that duty safely and properly.

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 11 Report ASAP if there is: A death of an employee; A disabling injury to two or more employees; An amputation or the complete loss of a body part; Permanent impairment of a body function; An explosion; Damage to a boiler or pressure vessel that results in fire or rupture of the boiler or pressure vessel; or Damage to an elevating device that renders it unserviceable, or a free fall of an elevating device

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 12 Incidents (or “Near Hits”) No requirement to report BUT Near hits are warnings They should be reported and investigated

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 13 Work Place Committee / Rep Must be notified by employer Shall participate in investigations (as per terms of reference) Offer comments on recommendations / corrective actions taken Remember: Responsibility for the investigation of a hazardous occurrence and the reporting remains with the employer

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 14 Hazardous Occurrence Investigation (HOI) Process Purpose is to: – determine all causes; – recommend corrective action; and – comply with the CLC Part II Not to lay blame

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 15 Principles of Investigations collect the facts; explore all factors; consider conditions as well as actions / inactions; and recommend effective corrective measures

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 16 Investigation Procedure Visit the accident scene; Conduct interviews; Gather evidence; Evaluate; and Make recommendations

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 17 At The Scene Secure the scene; Prevent removal of evidence; Familiarize with the circumstances; Coordinate the quarantine, the identification and taking of samples, photos and records; and Identify and interview witnesses

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 18 Interview Techniques Put the person at ease Avoid group interviews Interview at the scene if possible Listen to witness’ account Ask open ended questions Take notes

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 19 Interview Techniques (cont’d) Do not prejudge Encourage the witness to give all information Ask for suggestions Confirm understanding Thank all witnesses

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 20 Types of Evidence Documents, logs, records Fluid and material samples Photos and sketches Working parts Record any disassembly Medical exams Keep accurate records

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 21 Sequence of Events Leading to The Accident (SELA) Step-by-step description leading to the occurrence Document in detail Clarity is CRUCIAL

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 22 SELA Example 1 ’Charlie’ tripped over a box and broke his ankle What kind of analysis can the investigator do with this ???

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 23 SELA Example 2 1. At break time, ‘Charlie’ got up and was heading to the employee lounge to meet some associates; 2. Supervisor had an urgent need for extra materials; 3. She stopped ‘Charlie’ and asked for a favour; 4. ‘Charlie’ obliged and hurried to the stockroom;

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 24 SELA Example 2 (cont’d) 5. As he turned the corner, he did not notice the box partially blocking the dim hallway; 6. He tripped over it, twisting and fracturing his ankle; 7. The box was one of seven that had been left in the hallway for the past three weeks after a late night delivery

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 25 CLARITY IS CRUCIAL Do not just describe the occurrence itself; include a description of events that led up to the occurrence. Anyone reading the sequence of events should be able to understand what was going on and what happened

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 26 Analysis Accidents seldom have a single cause To find all causes, keep asking Why? or Why not? Record causes in detail Don’t stop at injury cause(s), look for root cause(s) of the accident

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 27 Recommendations Treat the cause(s) Ensure measures enhance Ensure measures eliminate / control all causes

Work Place Committtee and H&S Representative Training 28 HOI Exercise Follow as events unfold Follow the investigation team through the process Video will be stopped when manager asks “The economy?” Complete the form ….

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