1. Accident Investigation for Supervisors

2. Introduction Most Frequent BGSU OSHA Recordable Injuries/Illnesses
Slips, trips and falls
Strains and sprains
Cuts
Struck by an object

3. Objectives Types of accidents
Causes or contributing factors of accidents
How to perform an accident investigation
What documentation should be completed

4. Overview
The failure of people, equipment, supplies or surroundings to behave or react as expected, causes most accidents.
Accident investigations determine how and why these failures occur.
Accident investigations are a tool for supervisors and accident investigation teams to find main causes of illnesses, injuries, and “near misses” allowing for corrective actions.

5. Overview
Departments are encouraged to use the BGSU Accident Investigation Report Form as a method of reducing hazards in their areas.
The aim of an accident investigation should be to prevent recurrence of the same accident.

6. Definitions Accident Near Miss Accident Investigation
An unplanned event that interrupts the completion of an activity that may or may not result in personal injury, illness or in property damage.
Near Miss
An unplanned event that interrupts the completion of an activity which directly involves the workers and does not result in personal injury, illness or in property damage.
Accident Investigation
The process of determining the causes of accidents and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

7. Types of Accidents Minor Accidents Serious Accidents
Accidents that cause minor injury/illness, requiring little or no treatment, or property damage.
Serious Accidents
Accidents that cause injury/illness or damage to equipment and/or property. If the accident is considered an OSHA recordable the accident is serious.

8. Outcomes of Accidents Negative Positive
Injury, illness, or death, property and equipment damage, lost productivity, poor morale and $$$$$$.
Positive
Accident investigations
increase productivity, improve operations, raise awareness and prevent recurrence.

9. Causes and Contributing Factors of Accidents
Accident Causation Model
Tasks
Material
Environment
Personnel
Management

10. 1. Task Ergonomics Safety work procedures Condition changes Process
Materials
Workers
Appropriate tools/materials
Safety devices (including lockout)

11. 2. Material Equipment failure Machinery design/guarding
Hazardous substances
Substandard material

12. 3. Environment Weather conditions Housekeeping Temperature Lighting
Air contaminants
Personal protective equipment

13. 4. Human Factor Level of experience Level of training
Physical capability
Health
Fatigue
Stress

14. 5. Management/Process Failure
Visible active senior management support for safety
Safety policies
Enforcement of safety policies
Adequate supervision
Knowledge of hazards
Hazard corrective action
Preventive maintenance
Regular audits

15. Who Should Perform the Accident Investigation?
Dependent on the severity
Person involved
Supervisor
Environmental Health and Safety
The advantage of having a supervisor perform the investigation is the supervisor is likely to be the most knowledgeable about the work, the persons involved, and current conditions.
The supervisor can also take immediate remedial action.

16. Steps in an Accident Investigation
Initial Response
Information Gathering
Analysis and Conclusion
BGSU Accident Investigation Report

17. Step 1 - Initial Response
After an accident occurs, the initial response should be as follows:
Get treatment for individuals that may be injured.
Assure the safety of others.
Secure the site.
Complete the BGSU Injury/Illness Reporting Form.

18. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Inspect the accident site and note information such as:
Positions of injured workers
Equipment and materials being used
Safety devices in use
Position on appropriate guards
Positions of controls of machinery
Damage to equipment
Housekeeping of the area
Weather conditions
Lighting levels
Noise levels

19. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Gather information:
On procedures and rules for the area
On maintenance records and equipment involved
By taking photographs and making diagrams
From employees

20. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Interview
Injured person or persons
Witnesses
Supervisors
It is important to interview to establish an understanding and to obtain in his/her own words what happened.

21. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Interview Do’s
Put the witness, who is probably upset, at ease
Emphasize the real reason for the investigation, to determine what happened and why
Let the witness talk, you listen
Confirm that you have the statement correct
Try to sense any underlying feelings of the witness
Make short notes only during the interview
Ask open ended questions

22. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Interview Do Not’s
Intimidate the witness
Interrupt
Prompt
Ask leading questions
Show your own emotions
Make lengthy notes while the witness is talking

23. Step 2 – Information Gathering
Ask Who? What? Where? When? How?
Conduct interviews separately
Make it clear that the investigation is used to avoid recurrence and not to place blame

24. Step 3 – Analysis and Conclusion
Isolate contributory factors
Would the accident have occurred if this particular factor was not present?
Determine
Why the accident occurred
A likely sequence of events and probably causes
Accident Tree Handout (Tab 1)
Example
Bad Report (Tab 2)
Better Report (Tab 3)

25. Step 3 – Analysis and Conclusion
Draw conclusions and make recommendations based on key contributing factors and causes.
Implement corrective actions and set a time table to complete them.

26. Step 4 - BGSU Accident Investigation Report
Statement of injured or ill employee concerning the incident and injured employee information
Witness statements
Equipment involved
Other factors or contributing causes
Corrective action plan
Tab 4

27. Summary What are the different types of accidents
What causes or contributes to accidents
How do you perform an accident investigation
What documentation should be completed

28. Where to Get More Information
Injury and Illness Reporting and Job Safety at BGSU Training
Environmental Health and Safety Web Site
Environmental Health and Safety