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The immediate aim of an accident investigation is to obtain accurate and full information
about the circumstances and causes of the accident.
The incident should be investigated as promptly as possible while the circumstances are
fresh in the memory of all parties, and before any evidence is removed or destroyed.
The ultimate objective is to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents in the future, to
uncover new hazards where such exist and to devise adequate measure to control them.
Accident investigations frequently identify one or more of the following underlying causes:
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For the accident investigation to be successful in identifying all of the causes it will be
necessary to establish:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the state of the system and the actions that occurred at that moment;
the persons directly involved, and those involved at a distance, if any;
the tools, equipment, materials and fixtures directly concerned;
the time.
Persons who have knowledge of the work in hand or conditions at the scene, whether or not
they were there at the actual event or saw it occur, can also contribute to establishing the
chain of events and will have to be interviewed.
A checklist can be made to help establish the facts.
Checklist questions to help establish the facts.
WHO
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was injured?
saw the accident?
was working with the injured?
had instructed and/or assigned the job to the injured?
else was involved?
has information on events prior to the accident?
WHAT
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is the injury?
is the damage or loss?
was the injured doing?
had the injured been instructed to do?
tools were being used?
machinery/plant/equipment was in use?
previous similar accidents or near misses (incidents) have occurred?
action had been taken to prevent recurrence?
did the injured and any witnesses see?
safety rules were violated?
safe systems of work, permits to work, isolation procedures were there?
training had been given?
were the contributory causes of the accident?
communication system was in use?
WHEN
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WHY
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WHERE
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HOW
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INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Those to be involved will require adequate training.
The following are considered as essential tools in the competent investigation of incidents
and should be held by the SHO:
Camera
Measuring tape, which should be long enough and robust, like a surveyors tape
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Line manager is in the best position to investigate the accident or near-miss due to their
familiarity with the people concerned, the work area, methods of work and equipment or
chemicals involved. The supervisor is usually on the spot and can begin the investigation
soon after the time of the incident, an important factor in good investigation procedures.
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For any serious incident or accident, the SHO must lead the team and he/she should sign the
report and oversee all accident investigations.
The workplace procedures for accident investigation should identify the responsibilities of
management following the accident.
take any action required to deal with the immediate risks, e.g. first aid, put out the fire,
isolate any danger, fence off the area
assess the amount and kind of investigation needed and inform the SHO
Those carrying out the investigation should be aware of the time allowed for completion of the
investigation; e.g. the report must be presented to the SHO on the first working day following
the day of the incident. If by this time investigations are incomplete and a written report is not
available, a verbal progress report on the investigation should be made.
INTERVIEWING WITNESSES
There are two types of witness:
Witnesses and others should be interviewed as soon as possible and individually so that the
comments of one do not influence the others.
Witnesses must be convinced that investigators want to find all the factors that contributed to
the accident and not to allocate blame.
There are certain proven techniques for a successful interview. The following elements form
the basic approach to investigation interviewing1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Remember that the accident victim or witness may be emotional. The best way to put the
interviewee at ease is to remind him or her of the purpose of the interview(a) You are solely interested in prevention, not in affixing blame.
(b) You can only achieve prevention with his or her help in identifying all the factors.
(c) You are interested in fact NOT theory.
Be polite and reassuring, NOT aggressive and rude. Ensure the interviewee understands
that all statements are confidential.
The full details of every accident or near-miss, having been investigated, must be
consolidated into a single file which should include the supervisors investigation report,
witness statements, plans/diagrams/photographs, copies of medical certificates and
insurance claim forms, copies of any notification made to the relevant statutory body.
All accidents or incidents should be reported by employees and recorded in the accident
book.
All accidents and near misses must be recorded, however minor. Unless the company is
informed of these incidents, it will be unable to take remedial action.
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