School Bus Crash Investigations

Today, Our Focus Will Be on… “Determining The Cause” This information was assembled to assist you in completing a successful Post Accident Interview. As a supervisor you have the responsibility of interviewing the operator after an accident to determine the cause of the accident. Also, you will determine the necessary course of defensive driving review for eliminating the behavior or behaviors which lead to the accident. Gathering accurate and detailed information in the Supervisor’s Crash Report will help you successfully meet your objective.

Topics To Be Discussed Supervisor’s Crash Report (Brief Expiation) Why should we investigate accidents Additional reasons to investigate accident Initiating the Supervisor’s Post Accident Investigation Contacting the Operator Interviewing Techniques Post Accident Investigation Post Accident Defensive Driving Review Recommendation For Additional Operator Training Corrective Action Recommendations or Considerations

The Supervisors Crash Report The supervisor’s crash report is the first step in the investigation process. The information you gather on your… “On Scene Report” is critical to accurately completing your investigation. (District Schools Board of Pasco County Supervisors Crash Report PART 1.) Please See Handout…

Why should we investigate accidents? The number one reason would be to prevent future accidents of identical or similar causes from occurring. In addition, accident investigations will usually bring out “hidden” safety issues that can be addressed with your current operators and which will contribute to enhancing your training program.

Additional reasons to investigate accidents include… To fulfill any legal requirements To determine compliance with applicable safety regulations, policies and procedures To determine the cost of an accident To process workers’ compensation claims

At This Point… An Accident Has Occurred The Supervisor Has Completed The Accident Scene Investigation

 Initiating The Supervisors Post Accident Interview Investigation Next…

Contacting The Operator Your initial contact with the operator is very important. It’s your first opportunity to set the tone of your meeting. So… by beginning on a positive note, it will ease an already worried and/or upset operator.

Contacting The Operator Continued… An operator’s anxiety can be greatly affected when they walk in and find a “PLEASE SEE ME” tag hanging on their key hook; especially after an accident.

Contacting The Operator Continued… To ease this anxiety you may want to place a personal note in the operator’s mail box with cheerful note or positive comment prominently displayed. So… Think about it. How would you like to be treated?

Make Your Contact Positive Keeping it simple and positive can ease an already stressed employee. On the outside of your “Please see me” note to the employee, you could write… Good Morning John Diego This type of greeting is a little more personal and causes less anxiety and more acceptance. As appose to, John This type of greeting can cause a lot of anxiety then worry.

Make Your Contact Positive Continued… On the inside of your “Please see me” note to the employee, you could write… John, I need your assistants in completing your crash report. I will be available today between 10:00 and 1:00. Your input could be very important in preventing future accidents for others who may find themselves in the same situation. Thanks for all you do! Diego

Take Note… Determining the cause is not a reason to place blame. Usually there are multiple causes or contributing factors. Ideally, the investigation should begin immediately. Because the memory of the injured employee may be affected by time. This can lead to elaboration or forgetting important details.

Interviewing Techniques Begin with explaining the purpose of the interview and the reason for the questions you will be asking. The purpose is to determine the cause You don’t want to give the impression that you are trying to find the employee at fault for the accident. Just tell them that these are standard questions on the form that have to be answered. For more information on interviewing techniques you can find a lot resources on line. Keyword: Interviewing Techniques

Interviewing Environment Again, you want to put the employee at ease in order to get the best out of your interview, so consider the following. A quiet room A pitcher of water This alone can set the stage for a successful interview.

But Lets Get Real! You work for transportation, just try and find a quiet corner. Oh… and by the way there’s a water fountain down the hall, but I’m sorry, the water’s hot. Soooooooo…

But were here to talk about Determining the Cause… So let’s on our topic…

Proper Documentation The supervisor’s Post Accident Investigation is the next step in your investigation process. (District Schools Board of Pasco County Supervisors Crash Report PART 2.) Please See Handout…

Determining The Cause Continued… When in your discussion with the operator, avoid using dominating or patronizing mannerisms of speech. The interviewee will probably not respond well to this attitude. Convey your sincere concern for the safety of the students and employees. Also, let them know that you are trying to find ways to prevent future accidents.

Determining The Cause Continued… Let’s face it, no one intends on getting into accident.

Determining The Cause Continued… There are three reasons why people have accidents. They are… 1. Failing to pay attention 2. Exceeding their performance capabilities 3. Engaging in unsafe behavior patterns

Determining The Cause Continued… Understand, there may be more than one cause, but of the three causes… Let’s take them one at a time.

Failing to pay attention Determining The Cause Continued…

Exceeding your performance capabilities

Determining The Cause Continued… Engaging in unsafe behavior patterns

Determining The Cause Continued… First, review the operator’s report. The purpose of the interview is to establish an understanding with the operator on what actually happened and to obtain it in his or her own words. Interviewing is an art that cannot be given justice in a brief presentation such as this, but a few Do’s and Don’ts can be mentioned.

Determining The Cause Continued… Do… Put the operator, who is probably upset, at ease. Emphasize the real reason for the investigation, which is to determine what happened and why. Let the operator talk. Listen. Confirm that you have the statement correct.

Determining The Cause Continued… Don’t… Intimidate the operator. Interrupt. Prompt. Ask leading questions. Show your own emotions. Jump to conclusions.

Determining The Cause Continued… Ask open-ended questions that cannot be answered by simply “yes” or “no.” The actual questions you ask will naturally vary with each accident, but there are some general questions that should be asked each time. They are…

Determining The Cause Continued… Where were you at the time of the accident? What were you doing at the time of the accident? What did you see, hear? What were the environmental conditions (weather, light, noise, etc.) at the time? What was the other vehicle doing at the time? In your opinion, what caused the accident? How might similar accidents be prevented in the future?

Determining The Cause Continued… If you’re unable to agree on a cause you should review your initial investigation and discus the facts one at a time until a mutual understanding is reached. If a mutual understanding cannot be reached you should simply report the facts and the operator’s statement. Then, along with your conclusion, based on the three causes of accidents, indicate the defensive driving principles you felt most appropriate for review. Finally, obtain the operator’s signature.

Determining The Cause Continued… If a mutually agreed cause has be has been determined: Check the appropriate box and write in your mutually agreed understanding. Choose the appropriate course of defensive driving principles to review and review them in there entirety. This may include several areas of review. Indicate if additional training is recommended and if (Yes) then complete the Additional Training request form.

First, Let’s Discuss the Defensive Driving Principles Review… (District Schools Board of Pasco County Post Accident Defensive Driving Principles Review Report PART 3.) Please See Handout…

Next, Completing the… Additional Training Request Form (District Schools Board of Pasco County Additional Training Request form Report PART 4.) Please See Handout…

And Finally… Obtain the operators signature and give the operator a copy. Forward your report to Training and Safety for review so that Corrective Action Recommendation or Considerations can be implemented.

Its About Keeping Everyone Safe! Thank you!