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Accident Investigation

1. The document outlines the objectives, causes, and methods of accident investigation to understand why accidents occur and identify prevention methods. 2. It describes what should be investigated in an accident, including immediate causes like unsafe acts or conditions, and underlying causes related to personal, job, supervisory, or management factors. 3. A thorough accident investigation seeks to determine the sequence of events, identify causal factors, recommend corrective actions, and support prevention by learning from what happened.

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Rushabh Kapadia
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84 views43 pages

Accident Investigation

1. The document outlines the objectives, causes, and methods of accident investigation to understand why accidents occur and identify prevention methods. 2. It describes what should be investigated in an accident, including immediate causes like unsafe acts or conditions, and underlying causes related to personal, job, supervisory, or management factors. 3. A thorough accident investigation seeks to determine the sequence of events, identify causal factors, recommend corrective actions, and support prevention by learning from what happened.

Uploaded by

Rushabh Kapadia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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By Peter Jones

Course Objectives
Understand the need to investigate
Know what to investigate
Determine the causes of accidents
Identify the methods of investigation
Understand the need to be thorough and
comprehensive
Identify prevention methods
Identify sources of assistance
What is an Accident ?
Any undesired, unplanned event arising
out of employment which results in
physical injury or damage to property, or
the possibility of such injury or damage.

“Near miss” situations must also be


addressed - events which did not result in
injury or damage but had the potential to
do so.
What’s in a name ?
Accident
Injury
Dangerous Occurrence
Significant Incident
“Near-miss” accident
“Near-hit”
Accident Ratio Study
Serious or Disabling
Includes disabling & Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
10 Any reported injury less than serious

Property Damage & Accidents


30 All Types

Accidents with no visible


600 Injury or Damage
(Critical Incidents)
Accident Causes
Unsafe Act
 an act by the injured person or
another person (or both) which
caused the accident; and/or
Unsafe Condition
 some environmental or hazardous
situation which caused the accident
independent of the employee
Accident Causation Model
1. Results of the accident - (harm or
damage)
2. Incident - Contact (Accident)
3. Immediate causes (symptoms)
4. Basic causes (real problems)
Results of the Accident
Physical harm
catastrophic (multiple deaths)
death
disabling, lost time, major
serious
minor
notifiable
compensatable
Results of the Accident
Property damage
catastrophic
major
serious
minor
Incident - Contact
 struck against
 struck by
 fall to below
 fall on same level
 caught on
 caught in
 caught between
 over exertion
 chemical contact
Incident - Contact
 electricity
 plant & equipment
 noise or vibration
 hazardous substances
 radiation
 heat & cold
 animals or insects
 microbiological agents
Immediate Causes
Standard Practices
 operating with authority
 use serviceable equipment
 use equipment properly
 use of PPE where required
 correct lifting
 no drinking & drugs
 no horseplay
 secure equipment or warnings
Immediate Causes
Standard Conditions
 effective guards & devices
 serviceable tools & equipment
 adequate warning systems
 good housekeeping
 non polluted environment
 good illumination & ventilation
 good working, storage &
traveling space
Basic Causes
Personal Factors
 lack of knowledge or skill
 improper motivation
 physical or mental conditions
 literacy or ability
Basic Causes
Job Factors
 physical environment
 sub-standard equipment
 abnormal usage
 wear & tear
 inadequate standards
 design & maintenance
 purchasing standards
Basic Causes
Supervisory Performance
 inadequate instructions
 failure of SOPs
 rules not enforced
 hazards not corrected
 devices not provided
Basic Causes
Management Policy &
Decisions
 set measurable standards
 measure work in progress
 evaluate work-v-standards
 correct performance if nec
Why Investigate ?

Legal Requirement
Establish Causes
Prevent Recurrences
Accurate record
Statistical data base
Third Party Liability
What is Accident Investigation ?
A systematic approach to accident
investigation, the identification of
causal factors and
implementation of corrective
actions is essential to a good H&S
program and management
system.
Accident Investigation
Procedures …
 provide information needed to
determine injury rates, identify trends or
problem areas, permit comparisons and
satisfy Workers Compensation
requirements

 identify, without placing blame, the


basic causal factors that contributed
directly or indirectly to each accident
Accident Investigation
Procedures …
 suggest corrective action alternatives
for a given accident

 suggest corrective action alternatives


for the management system.
What to Investigate
 all accidents & near misses as soon as possible
Include
 scene interference
 survey of scene
 chronology of data
 measurements, maps & sketches
 eyewitnesses
 reconstruction ?
 statistics & trends
 injury types & groups
Who should Investigate
 Supervisor
 Safety Manager
 Department Manager
Investigator’s Qualifications
Technical knowledge
Objectivity
Analytical approach
Familiarity with the job, process or
operation
Tact in communicating
Intellectual honesty
Inquisitiveness & curiosity
Investigators Tool Kit
 clipboard, paper (incl graph) pens
 camera & spare films
 tape measure
 cassette recorder & spare tapes
 reporting forms
 hi-viz barrier tape for scene preservation
 first aid kit
 identification tags for parts
 gloves (industrial & medical)
 safety helmet
Investigators Tool Kit
 specimen containers
 magnifying glass
 compass
 danger tags
 yellow crayon
 orange spray paint
 torch with batteries
 hi-viz orange vest
 hearing & eye protection
 plastic containers for samples
 roll of paper towels
Let’s Begin …
Take all necessary steps to provide
emergency rescue and medical help for
the injured

Take actions that will prevent, or


minimize the risk of further accidents
or physical harm to the victim or others
Action Plan
Identification of the individual who is in charge
and assigns responsibilities

Authority to conduct investigation;

Securing the accident site for the duration of the


investigation, after rescue and damage control
are complete
Action Plan
Procedures & equipment to ensure
observation and recording of fragile,
perishable or transient evidence
instrument readings
control panel settings
weather & other environmental
conditions
chemical spills, stains, skid marks
Determine the Facts
Visit accident scene
Take samples
Visual records
Preserve accident items
Identify people involved
Interview witnesses
Review information
Finding Facts
What was the exact injury or damage ?
What was the damaging energy source ?
What event immediately preceded the
damaging event ?
What happened before that ?
What happened even before that ?
What happened in between ?
What else was going on at the time of the
accident ?
Was anyone else involved ?
Interview witnesses
Interviewing Techniques
Put at ease
Assure “no blame”
Ask witness to relate their account of the accident
Listen carefully
Ask questions - reinforce
Repeat if necessary
Ask witness for suggestions for future avoidance
Encourage further contact
Be polite and thank the witness
A Good Report
Accuracy & completeness of information

Clarity & completeness of of the


description of the sequence of events
leading up to the accident

Correct identification of all causal factors

Clarity & completeness of all causal


factors
A Good Report
Recommendations made for corrective actions to
reduce or eliminate the probability of
recurrence of a similar accident

Recommendations for corrective actions to


improve management system

Timelines - specific time periods, monitoring and


responsibilities

Proper review and sign off


Supporting Documentation
Accident investigation Form
Witness Statements & Records of Interview
Checklists:
 Victim(s)
 Witnesses
 Environment & Locations
 Equipment & Parts
 Documentation
Accident/Incident Record
Photographs
The Victim
Death
Pain & suffering
Permanent disability
Effects on family & dependants
Loss of earnings
Extra expenditure
Inability to resume occupation
Psychological effects
Feeling of uselessness
Fear of further injury
Social effects
Loss of sports or hobby
The Supervisor
loss of trained worker
loss of production
extra work
investigations & reports
training new employee
loss of prestige by:
 management
 other workers
effects on promotion
worry (could I have prevented it ?)
Stress
The Company
loss of trained worker
loss of production
damage to machinery
damage to equipment
wasted materials
increased insurance premiums
prosecutions
fines
civil actions
legal costs
loss of prestige - customers
4. The Nation

loss of section of workforce


loss of production
increased cost of production
effects on imports
effects on exports
effects on balance of trade
the community pays !
Can Accidents be Prevented ?
Effective Management & Supervision
Commitment to Accident Prevention
Effective Policy & Procedures
Effective Reporting & Recording
Regular Consultation & “Toolbox”
Meetings
Risk Assessments
Specific Training
Literature & Culture
Incentive Schemes ?
Warning Signs
 Increases in breaches of safety procedures
 Increase in reportable incidents
 Technical concerns
 Friction or disputes
 ageing or suspect equipment
 Introduction of new procedures or equipment
 New employees
 Age of employees
 Long periods of work
 Environmental issues
Resources
Insurance Company
Workers Comp Administrator
Doctors & Specialists
Rehabilitation Experts
Consultants
Psychologists
Employee Assistance Programs

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