1. 1/05 School Safety Training Accident Investigation

2. 2 Notice  This presentation is provided to all Educational Service District 101 (ESD 101) schools at no cost.  This presentation contains copyrighted materials purchased by ESD 101 for the exclusive use of training school personnel within ESD 101.  This presentation may not be reproduced except to print “handouts” or “notes pages” for use during training within ESD 101 school districts.  If the school district does not have Microsoft’s PowerPoint software available, a PowerPoint viewer can be downloaded from the internet at no cost.  Questions may be directed to the ESD 101 Risk Manager.

3. 3 Accident Investigation Goals  Preparing the investigation team  Conducting the investigation  Quiz

4. 4 Why Investigate Accidents?  Determine the cause  Prevent a recurrence with corrective action  Fix or eliminate obvious accident cause/condition(s) immediately  Document your school’s (supervisor’s) version of the incident  Completion of WISHA-required reporting

5. 5 Who Investigates?  Minor accident Supervisor Safety Committee member School District’s Safety Program Manager  Major accident Supervisor - i.e., Transportation, Maintenance, Food Service, Athletic Director, Science, Voc-Ed, etc. School District’s Safety Program Manager Safety Committee member Employee Representative Outside investigator - e.g., WSP or local police, Fire Dept, DSHS, OSPI, etc. ESD 101 Risk Manager and/or Claims Administrator

6. 6 Investigator’s Qualifications  Accident investigation training  Understanding of the importance of investigation  Understanding of the workplace conditions and job requirements  Ability to communicate details

7. 7 When to Investigate?  Immediately after incident Witness memories fade Equipment and clues are moved Injured person may not know “what happened” Document all facts ASAP Photographs are essential  Complete the investigation quickly

8. 8 Investigation Kit  Camera and film (digital is better)  Report forms, clipboard, pens  Barricade tape  Flashlight  Tape measure  Tape recorder  Work gloves  PPE

9. 9 Accident Investigation Goals  Training the investigation team Supervisors- i.e., Transportation, Maintenance, Food Service, Athletic Directors, Science, Voc-Ed, etc. School District’s Safety Program Manager Safety Committee members Employee Representatives  Training includes practice-conduct drills and/or “tabletop exercises”  Quiz (demonstrate proficiency)

10. 10 The Accident Occurs  Conducting the investigation Employee (or co-worker) immediately reports the incident/accident to a supervisor Supervisor calls 9-1-1 if appropriate Supervisor renders first-aid and assesses need for outside medical treatment Preserve the accident scene intact Contact the accident investigation team

11. 11 Notification  Notify principal or district office if required by your district’s policy manual  Notify ESD 101 if injury is serious and/or will require medical treatment, time-loss and/or a major accident investigation

12. 12 Beginning the Investigation  Gather investigation team and kit  Report to the scene  Look at the “big picture” - Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?  Record initial observations  Take pictures  Record witness’ names and statements

13. 13 What’s Involved?  Who was injured?  Were medications, drugs, or alcohol involved?  Is drug testing advised or mandatory?  Was employee ill?  Was employee working long hours?

14. 14 Witnesses  Who witnessed the incident?  Was a supervisor or lead person nearby?  Where were other employees?  Why didn’t anyone witness the incident?  Was PPE being properly worn/used?  Was the injured person performing regular duties?  Was the person properly trained to perform the task?

15. 15 Interviewing Tips  Discuss what happened leading up to and after the accident  Encourage witnesses to describe the accident in their own words  Don’t be defensive or judgmental  Use open-ended questions  Gather all facts and opinions-sort them out later

16. 16 What Else Was Involved?  Machine, tool, or equipment?  Chemicals?  Environmental conditions?  Work schedule?

17. 17  Date and time?  Normal shift?  Normal duties?  Employee coming off a vacation?  Employee returning from illness? Time of Incident

18. 18 Incident Location  Work area?  On, under, in, near…?  Off-site location?  Doing normal job duties?

19. 19 Incident Activities  Activity being conducted at time of incident?  Repetitive motions?  Type of material being handled?

20. 20 Incident Description  Details- so reader can clearly picture the incident  Specific body parts affected  Specific motions of injured employee just before, during, and after incident  Other extenuating circumstances?

21. 21 Causal Factors  Try not to accept single cause theory  Identify underlying causes  Primary cause  Secondary causes  Is contributing cause a lack of training, equipment, PPE, or staffing?  Was activity in compliance with WISHA safety codes, other laws and safe-work practices?

22. 22 Corrective Actions  Immediate corrective actions  Recommended corrective actions Employee training Preventive maintenance activities Improved job procedures Hazard recognition Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Elimination of the causal activity?

23. 23 Completed Report  Signed by investigation team members  Signed by injured employee  Forwarded to Superintendent  Forwarded to ESD 101 and casualty insurer

24. 24 Accident Investigation Goals  Preparing the investigation team  Conducting the investigation  Quiz

25. 25 Summary  Investigate accidents immediately  Determine who was involved and who witnessed it  Ascertain what items or equipment were involved  Record detailed description  Determine causal factors  Conduct corrective actions

26. 26 Quiz 1. It is best to interview witnesses all together in order to save time. True or False 2. Name two environmental factors that may be involved in an accident ____________, ____________. 3. Define a “minor” accident according to investigation procedures: ______________________________. 4. The main reason for investigating accidents is to fix the blame somewhere.T or F 5. Employees need to report injuries only if they think they need to see a doctor.T or F

27. 27 Quiz (Cont.) 6. Prior to arriving at the accident scene, one team member should have taken the _____________. 7. Describe at least 2 factors to investigate about the injured employee: ____________, __________. 8. How could the time of the accident be considered a causal factor? ________________________. 9. Describing the general accident location is adequate for the report.True or False 10. Describe at least 2 factors to investigate when equipment is involved: __________, ___________.

28. 28 Quiz Answers 1. False. Witnesses should be interviewed separately. 2. Wet floor, poor lighting, cold or hot day, noise. 3. A “minor” accident is when the injured employee does not require outside medical attention. 4. False. Accidents are investigated so corrective actions can be taken to prevent another accident. 5. False. Employees need to report all injuries, no matter how small, and near miss incidents.

29. 29 Quiz Answers (cont.) 6. Investigation kit. 7. Alcohol or drugs, medication, illness, tired, extra shift, eyesight. 8. Early morning accident may be related to tired, inattentive employee. Late afternoon or evening accident may be related to fatigue of a full day of work. 9. False. The report requires very specific details of the location of an accident. 10. Equipment malfunction, employee training and skill level, amount of supervision