Accident Investigation

vs.

First Report of Injury

Accident Investigation

vs.

First Report of Injury

• What’s the difference?

• Benefit of Accident Investigations

• Investigative Actions

• Four Steps of Investigation

What’s on the Agenda?What’s on the Agenda?

What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

Accident Investigation (Action)– Fact finding/Immediate Response– Improvements/Solutions– Preventing reoccurrence

First Report of Injury (Documentation)– Mandated by the state– Completed by appropriate staff member– Time constraints

What’s the Benefit!What’s the Benefit!

Preventing future injuries.

Priceless!

What is Accident Investigation?What is Accident Investigation?

One Primary Goal:

Prevent Reoccurrence!

Investigative ActionsInvestigative Actions

Which accidents should be investigated?

All of them

This allows management an opportunity for improving the current safety conditions!

Does this include “Near Misses”?

Investigative ActionsInvestigative Actions

When should an accident be investigated?

• As soon as possible

Facts will be clear and interest high!

Shows a concern for the injured worker.

Investigative ActionsInvestigative Actions

Who should make the investigation?

• The supervisor of the department/area

This will help in making immediate changes!

Ultimate responsibility rests on management.

Investigative ActionsInvestigative Actions

How should the investigation be conducted?

• Create steps, have a plan!

• Avoid assigning a cause too quickly.

Make certain you have all of the facts first!

Four Steps to Accident InvestigationFour Steps to Accident Investigation

(Accident Example – Worker slipped and fell)

1. Immediate Responsea) First get the injured employee the help they need.

b) Second rope off the area where the accident occurred.

c) Third begin the accident investigation with the witnesses and with the injured employee as soon as possible.

2. Investigate to Get the Facts

Look at the physical environment to determine the cause:

Four Steps Accident InvestigationFour Steps Accident Investigation

The 5 Why MethodThe 5 Why Method

Injury Statement: An employee slipped and fell.• Q: Why did he slip and fall?• A: There was liquid on the floor.• Q: Why was there liquid on the floor?• A: Because the forklift was leaking oil.• Q: Why was the forklift leaking oil?• A: A hose was cracked on the hydraulic lift.• Q: Why is the hose cracked?• A: It’s worn out. Why didn’t we catch it?• Q2: Did we perform daily inspections?• A2: We’re not sure, there is no documentation.

Root cause: The forklift hasn’t been inspected and/or serviced properly.

Solution: Create a new maintenance schedule and assign responsibility.

3. Analysis of the Facts to

Determine the Causes

Was there a knowledge or skill gap that contributed to the accident?

Was there an employee action done or left undone that contributed to the accident?

Four Steps Accident InvestigationFour Steps Accident Investigation

4. Development of Specific Corrective Actions“Fix the Problem”

– Identify immediate corrective actions to be taken to remove the hazard.

– Identify future preventative actions to be taken to prevent reoccurrence of the hazard.

Four Steps Accident InvestigationFour Steps Accident Investigation

SolutionsSolutions

• The solution should apply to the problem.

• Should be reasonable.

• Do not create a greater hazard with your

solution.

• Form the new rules/process

• Train employees

• Enforcement

Accident ExampleAccident Example

• Motor Vehicle Accident

The usual question to the employee involved:

What happened?

Are you okay?

SummarySummary

• What’s the difference?

• Benefit of Accident Investigations

• Investigative Actions

• Four Steps of Investigation

•How do we improve?