Accidents: Review & Investigation Basics

It is important that you check with your Comprehensive Loss Control Coordinator, Human Resources, and Supervisor to clarify the specific roles and responsibilities you may have in any accident review or investigation.

Program Goal Improve workplace safety by reducing the number of workplace accidents.

Objectives You will be able to; -Define “accident” -Goal of an accident review or investigation -Describe 4 categories of Causes -Identify components of a good review & investigation -Identify pitfalls to avoid -How to report review/investigation results

What is an Accident? Unplanned event that results in injury to an individual or property damage.

Reviews & Investigations Purpose of accident reviews & investigations Identify why & how failures occurred Examine possible corrective actions Protect personnel & equipment Prevent future accidents NOT point blame to anyone To identify potential preventative practices or measures that can be implemented to prevent future accidents.

Not who is to blame! What went wrong?

Definitions Injury – to an individual as result of event Near accident/near miss – unplanned event that almost resulted in an injury. Accident review – process of determining the cause of accidents, near misses, to prevent future occurrences.

Causal Categories Accident Procedure Tools Environment Method

Causal Categories Written procedures –Policy/procedures –Operator manuals –Guides Industry standard/common practices –Example: Keep machine guards in place while motor is running Procedure

Causal Categories Proper tool chosen for a task Did the tool fail? Tools adequate for the task(s) Examples: using a hammer to remove a glass pane Tools

Causal Categories Work area –Crowded, access impeded –Hot, cold Weather conditions a factor Visibility obstructed/limited Example: Steps and walkways were glazed with ice Environment

Causal Categories Proper technique being used Appropriate application of methods to situation Proper understanding of method Example: Lifting boxes improperly Method

Review vs. Investigation REVIEWINVESTIGATION Who?SupervisorSupervisor, Safety Officer or other designee When?Cause is clear, minor injury/damage, or “Near Miss”, every accident Cause is not clearly known, serious injury, damage exceeds $5k, Multiple injuries/damage, Recurring, similar injuries What?Identify cause & preventative action How?Observe scene, talk with employee(s), inspect tools or equipment Observe scene, interview employee(s), inspect tools or equipment, collect maintenance records, repair records, other data Time?Brief, completed almost immediately after incident May take a few hours or a few days Review/investigations should be completed quickly

Components of a Good Review Supervisor immediately, promptly debriefs employee

Components of a Good Review If relevant, verifies personal protective equipment was adequate and being worn properly

Components of a Good Review Supervisor identifies cause and initiates preventative action

Components of a Good Review Supervisor shares information with employees as soon as possible

Components of a Good Review Reviews often take only minutes to complete Prevention techniques learned from a review are promptly shared w/other employees

Accident Investigation Investigations are conducted when the cause is not clear; severe injury or damage occurs

Accident Investigation View the scene as soon as possible after the incident Gather all related documentation: -Maintenance records -Training records -Procedures

Accident Investigation Interview employees and witnesses. Note: Witnesses may include maintenance personnel and others that were not on the scene

Review & Investigation “DO’s” Identify the specific cause(s) which resulted in the injury, or damage. Acknowledge adherence to proper procedures/policies

Avoid “Pitfalls” Jumping to conclusions about the cause, procedures or overall accident Assigning or appearing to assign blame Not sharing preventative actions learned promptly

Review/Investigation Determination Every review & investigation should result in a determination: “preventable” or “not preventable”

Review/Investigation Determination PREVENTABLE: Accident could have been avoided if proper procedures, methods, tasks had been followed.

Review/Investigation Determination Not Preventable: Reasonable safety precautions were used, procedures followed, or methods were properly applied, or the cause could not have been easily foreseen by the employee.

Review/Investigation Determination As a result of a review or investigation it may be learned that employees were completing tasks in an unsafe manner such as ‘horseplaying’ or other unsafe acts. This information should be shared with the employees supervisor to be handled as a disciplinary matter.

Conclusion Identify and implement preventative measures to improve workplace safety by reducing future accidents. What is an accident? Identify two causal categories? Every review/investigation results in a determination of _______________