Accident Investigation Basics Becky Pierson DOSH Consultation Revised: 07/2008

Objectives / Outcomes  Describe the difference between an incident and an accident and why both need to be investigated.  Why should you investigate both?  How should you investigate?  What results are you looking for?  List the Washington State Requirements for accident reporting and investigation.

Accident Ratio Study ??? Serious or Disabling Minor Injuries - any reported injury less than serious Property Damage – All types Near Misses – Accidents with no visible injury or damage Hazardous conditions Frank E. Bird’s Model

Accident Causes  Unsafe Act – an act by the injured person or another person (or both) which caused the accident (90-95%)‏ and/or  Unsafe Condition – Some environmental or hazardous situation which caused the accident independent of the person (10%)‏

What Is An Incident? Unplanned and unwanted event which disrupts the work process and has the potential of resulting in injury, harm, or damage to persons or property. What Is An Accident? – Unplanned, unwanted, but controllable event which disrupts the work process and causes injury to people.

Why Investigate?

 Prevent future incidents  Identify and eliminate hazards.  Expose deficiencies in process and/or equipment.  Maintain worker morale and productivity.  Reduce injury rates and worker’s compensation costs.  Meet code requirements for investigating serious accidents.

How To Investigate  Have a plan  Assemble an investigation kit  Investigate all incidents and accidents immediately  Collect facts  Interview witnesses  Write a report

Tips for Developing A Plan:  Develop your investigation plan ahead of time.  Your plan might include: – Who to notify in the workplace? – Who will conduct the internal investigation? – What level of training is needed? – Who receives report? – Who decides what corrections will be taken and when? – Who writes report and performs follow up?

What Should be in the Investigation Kit? Camera equipment First aid kit Tape recorder Gloves Tape measure Large envelopes High visibility tapeReport forms Pen / PencilGraph paper Scissors Scotch tape Sample containers with labels Personal protective equipment

Fact Finding: Witnesses and physical evidence Employees/other witnesses Position of tools and equipment Equipment operation logs, charts, records Equipment identification numbers

 Take notes on environmental conditions, air quality  Take samples  Note housekeeping and general working environment  Note floor or surface condition  Take many pictures  Draw the scene

Interviewing Witnesses:  Interview promptly after the incident  LISTEN!  Don’t blame, just get facts  Ask open-ended questions

Writing the Report Conduct and document an investigation that answers: Who was involved? – (Victim, witnesses, supervisors, others)‏ What happened?- (incident description)‏ Where did the incident occur?

When did the incident occur? How did the incident occur? Why did the incident occur?

Report Conclusions 1. A list of suspected causes and human actions 2. What should happen to prevent future accidents? 3. What resources are needed?

4. Who is responsible for making changes? 5. Who will follow up and insure implementation of corrections? 6. What will be future long-term procedures

Break!

Why, why, why?? EXERCISE

Additional Resources for DOSH consultation -  Risk Management Assistance  Safety & Health Program Review and Worksite Evaluation  Workshops, Classes & Video Library

Wrap up & Evaluations