“ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION” SEMINAR

PURPOSE OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION Identify causes / Determine corrective action Reduce potential for future accidents Improve operating efficiency

WHY INVESTIGATE ? Protect our assets Assets: Equipment, Property, Tools, Vehicles, PEOPLE Prevent future reoccurrence

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS Over 85% of workers’ compensation-related accidents result from: A. UNSAFE CONDITIONS B. UNSAFE ACTS

UNSAFE ACTS

SYMPTOMS vs. CAUSES SYMPTOMS - Acts or Conditions which ultimately result in an accident (We can see) Examples - liquid spill on floor, broken tools or equipment, little or no lighting in a hallway, or poor employee attitudes Water on floor could be caused by a leaking mop bucket, improper training on use of mop, too much water in the bucket, leak from ceiling, water tracked in from snow outside, etc.

SYMPTOMS vs. CAUSES CAUSES - We can’t see Fall into 4 categories: EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, PEOPLE / BEHAVIOR, ENVIRONMENT Investigation of accidents - focus on the entire process and all 4 categories

JUST THE FACTS Common Negative Aspect of Investigation - attributes fault or responsibility Fault - assigns blame Only the facts are needed when we investigate any accident Finding the Facts vs. Fault When Investigating The worker did not wear proper personal protective equipment The worker is careless The injured worker was daydreaming Employee transferring resident strained their back

INVESTIGATION PROCESS Respond to the Accident Evaluate the Situation Assessing the Victim Protecting the Accident Scene Protecting the Physical Evidence

INVESTIGATION PROCESS Interviewing Documentation Evaluation Corrective Action

ROOT CAUSE DETERMINATION MATERIAL - Look at ... Selection Handling Processing

ROOT CAUSE DETERMINATION EQUIPMENT - Look at ... Selection Use Maintenance

ROOT CAUSE DETERMINATION ENVIRONMENT - Look at ... Poor Lighting Wet/Icy Surfaces Poor Ventilation

ROOT CAUSE DETERMINATION PEOPLE / BEHAVIOR - Look at ... Selection Training Leadership

INVESTIGATION GUIDE - Questions to Ask UNSAFE CONDITION Why What Where When Who How UNSAFE ACT Why What Where When Who How

WHY INVESTIGATE “NEAR MISSES” ? 1 25 300 1 LOST TIME INJURY For every 326 occurrences, there are …….. MINOR INJURIES NEAR MISSES

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ?

QUIZ 1. Name the last two items in the investigation process we discussed today? 2. Name two environmental factors that may be involved in an accident ________________, ________________. 3. Name three activities that are part of the investigation process? ________________; __________________; ________________________. 4. The main reason for investigating accidents is to fix the blame somewhere. True or False 5. Employees need to report injuries only if they think they need to see a doctor. True or False

QUIZ 6. Out of 326 activities or occurrences, there are how many “near misses” ? __________________. 7. Name 2 reasons for investigating an accident or “near miss”? __________________, _________________. 8. When obtaining accident information, it is important to get the _______ and not assign ___________ ? 9. Describing the general accident location is adequate for the report. True or False 10. Describe at least 2 factors to investigate when a person is involved: ____________, _____________.

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Evaluation and Corrective Action 2. Lighting, Wet/Icy Surfaces, Ventilation 3. Respond to the accident, Evaluate the situation, Assess the Victim, Protect the Accident Scene, Protect the Physical Evidence, Interviewing, Documentation, Evaluation, and Corrective Action 4. False - Find the Facts 5. False - Need to report all injuries

QUIZ ANSWERS 6. 300 “near misses” 7. Find the root cause, prevent reoccurrence, determine corrective action, improve efficiency 8. Facts; Fault or Blame 9. False - Specific accident location 10. Selection, Training, Leadership

Practice What You Have Learned Read the following Accident Scenarios and determine the “root causes” of the incidents and what corrective action should be taken to reduce potential reoccurrence. Remember to look at Equipment, Materials, Environment and People/Behavior during your investigation

ACCIDENT SCENARIO #1 An employee was walking through the lobby area when they slipped on liquid on the floor causing them to slip and fall, injuring their knee.

ACCIDENT SCENARIO #2 Two employees were attempting to hold a dog in order to give it a shot. The dog moved quickly and one of the employees was struck by the needle.

ACCIDENT SCENARIO #3 Employee was involved in lifting a large dog when they strained their back.