Accident
Investigation
Presented by
Name
Title
Date
Course Outline
Four modules
1. Definitions
2. Causation
3. Investigations
4. Case study
Workshop Objectives
You will gain an understanding of
• When to do a formal investigation
• Immediate and fundamental causes
• When to give notification of an accident
• How to write a good accident report
with recommendations
Module 1 - Definitions
• Accident
• Incident
• Accident Investigation
Definition of Accident & Incident?
Accident -
Can be defined as an
unplanned event that interrupts the
completion of an activity, and that may
(or may not) include injury or property
damage.
Incident - Usually refers to an
unexpected event that did not
cause injury or damage,but had the
potential to do so.
How does your workplace define
these terms?
What is an Accident Investigation?
An accident investigation is a conscientious
examination of all factors leading up to and
included in an incident or accident…
Why should we investigate?
Reasons to investigate a workplace
accident include:
· most importantly, to find out the cause of accidents to
prevent similar accidents in the future
· to fulfill any legal requirements
· to determine the cost of an accident
· to determine compliance with applicable safety
legislation
· to process workers' compensation claims
Module 2 - Finding the Causes
• Immediate and basic
• Accident statistics
Finding the Causes
Why are we
having
accidents?
?
Immediate Causes
Substandard Conditions
• Inadequate protective equipment
• Defective tools, equipment, materials
• Poor housekeeping
• Inadequate ventilation
• Congested or restricted action
Immediate Causes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Substandard Acts/Practices
Operating equipment without authority
Operating at improper speed
Removing safety devices
Failure to use PPE/warn/secure/follow
procedures
Horseplay
Under influence of alcohol/drugs
Improper loading/lifting/placement
Basic Causes
Personal Factors
 Inadequate physical/mental
capability
 Lack of knowledge
 Lack of skill
 Stress
 Improper motivation
Basic Causes
Job Factors
 Wear and tear
 Inadequate:
- Unclear/conflicting
 Abuse and misuse
leadership
 Improper training
- Engineering
- Purchasing
- Maintenance
- Tools, equipment, materials
- Work standards
Accident Ratios
1
Serious
10 - Minor
30 - Property Damage
600 - Near Misses
Report and investigate all accidents and incidents
Iceberg Effect
Accidents Cost Money
$1
$5 to $50
Property Damage
$1 to $3
Miscellaneous
Insured Costs
•Medical
•Compensation
Uninsured Costs
•Building damage
•Tool and equipment
damage
•Product and material
damage
• Hiring and training
replacements
• Investigation time
Module 3 - Investigate
• Reporting
• Investigation procedures
Committee may…
• 15(j) participate in all inspections,
inquiries and investigations concerning
the health and safety of employees,
and in particular the investigation of
any matter referred to in section 43
• 15(i) investigate any complaint…
Notices by Employers
• 43(1) Injuries causing fatality, loss of limb or
occupational disease, notify WorkSafeNB
immediately.
• 43(2) The employer shall immediately notify JHSC
or representative.
To report health and safety emergencies:
1 800 222-9775
Notices by Employers
43(3) No person shall disturb the scene, except
(b) to prevent further injuries; or
(c) to protect property that is endangered as a result of the
accident.
43(4) An accidental explosion, or an accidental
exposure, notify WorkSafeNB within 24 hours.
To report exposures or explosions:
1 800 222-9775
Terms of Reference
The size and scope of an investigation team
as well as its purpose, duties and objectives
should be clearly explained in the terms of
reference or an investigation policy.
Ensuring Accident Reporting
•
•
•
•
Initial training - all incidents must be reported
Encouragement - thank the individual
Take immediate action on all reports
Reinforce the importance of accident
investigations whenever possible
• Never place blame, as everyone is responsible
Why Accidents May Not be Reported
• Doesn’t want to be central person
• ‘Spoils’ safety record
• Fear/dislike of medical treatment
• Afraid co-workers will ‘kid’
• Doesn’t like ‘red-tape’
• Afraid supervisor will be angry
• Doesn’t want to lose time
Purpose of an Accident Investigation
It is to:
• Find all causes
• Prevent re-occurrence
• Ensure due diligence at every level
• Reduce accidents/costs
• Show workers that management cares about
h&s
Purpose of an Accident Investigation
It is not:
• Filling out an accident report (Form 67,
application for claim)
• Fixing blame/finger pointing
• To be conducted with a courtroom mentality
Policy
Every employer should have a written policy &
procedure. The policy should include the
following points:
• All incidents/accidents will be investigated
• Front line supervisor will conduct investigations
• How recommendations will be applied and
assessed
• Employees are encouraged to report all
incidents/accidents
Procedures (Detailed)
Steps to take when doing an incident
investigation:
1. Encourage all staff to report incidents immediately
2. Examination of the situation by supervisory staff
3. Take immediate measures, if necessary
4. Refer to JHSC for follow-up
Procedures (Detailed)
Steps to take when doing an accident
investigation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Initial response activities
Collect relevant information
Analyze information
Write report
Follow up
Supervisor as Accident Investigator
•Two different viewpoints:
 ‘This is an opportunity to prevent the next
accident.’
 ‘This is unnecessary paperwork and an improper
use, waste of my time’
Key Attributes of
Competent Investigators
• Assumes all accidents are preventable
• Looks for many causes not just the first, most
obvious cause
• Be a good listener
• Never attempts to find a culprit
• Is as objective as possible
• Always keeps the purpose of the investigation in
mind
Investigation Kit
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Camera, film, and flash
Tape measure
Clipboard/pad
Flashlight
Pencils/pens
Accident Investigation Form
Investigation policy
Chalk (yellow/white)
Checklist
Interview Techniques
1. Try to have private interviews
2. Put the person in the right frame of mind
3. Get their story in their own words
4. Probe for the full understanding
5. Conclude the interview on a positive note
Questions to answer
• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?
Points to Remember
• Be conscious of the feelings of others
• Arrange for comfortable quarters in which to
interview
• Don’t jump to conclusions or pre-judge
• Don’t let your personal bias take over
• Never pass on information given to you in
confidence by another party
• Stick around after you have finished your formal
investigation
Investigation Report
• The report should include the pertinent
information collected from all sources, as well
as the immediate and basic causes, and
recommended actions to be taken
• Should respect confidentiality
• Recommendations should be concrete,
precise, realistic and measurable
Module 4 - Case Study
• It is now time to investigate an
accident
Another Option
• The group may prefer to investigate
an accident that has already occurred
at their workplace
Summary
During this session, you were made aware:
• Of the difference between accident & incident
• That root causes are the real reasons as to why
accidents are occurring
• That a proper investigation will reduce probability
of accidents re-occurrence
Effective accident investigations prevent
physical injury, reduce costs, and contribute
to the safety mindset of the workplace.