Accident

Investigation
Presented by
Name
Title
Date
Course Outline
Four modules
1. Definitions
2. Causation
3. Investigations
4. Case study

Workshop Objectives
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
You will gain an understanding of

Module 1 - Definitions

Accident
Incident
Accident Investigation

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?

Definition of Accident & Incident?


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
Inadequate:
- Unclear/conflicting
leadership
- Engineering
- Purchasing
- Maintenance
- Tools, equipment, materials
- Work standards
Wear and tear
Abuse and misuse
Improper training
Accident Ratios




1
Serious
10 - Minor
30 - Property Damage
600 - Near Misses
Report and investigate all accidents and incidents
Iceberg Effect
Accidents Cost Money
Insured Costs
Medical
Compensation
Uninsured Costs
Building damage
Tool and equipment
damage
Product and material
damage
Hiring and training
replacements
Investigation time
$1
$5 to $50
Property Damage
$1 to $3
Miscellaneous
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
Doesnt want to be central person
Spoils safety record
Fear/dislike of medical treatment
Afraid co-workers will kid
Doesnt like red-tape
Afraid supervisor will be angry
Doesnt want to lose time

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
Purpose of an Accident Investigation
Policy
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


Every employer should have a written policy &
procedure. The policy should include the
following points:
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. Initial response activities
2. Collect relevant information
3. Analyze information
4. Write report
5. 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
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
Dont jump to conclusions or pre-judge
Dont 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
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

During this session, you were made aware:
Effective accident investigations prevent
physical injury, reduce costs, and contribute
to the safety mindset of the workplace.