Accident Investigation Slide 1

INTRODUCTION
to
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
for
SUPERVISORS
Accident Investigation Slide 2
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
4Explain the need for Accident Investigations
4Explain the benefits of Accident
Investigations
4Provide the information necessary to
properly complete Accident Investigations
4Provide the tools necessary to properly
complete Accident Investigations
Accident Investigation Slide 3
WHAT IS ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION?
4Process to determine the underlying causes
of accidents
4Causal information used to identify and take
preventive action
4Basic component of loss prevention
Accident Investigation Slide 4
BENEFITS OF ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION ?



GROUP DISCUSSION
Accident Investigation Slide 5
BENEFITS OF ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION...
4Prevention of future, similar losses
4Contribution to the bottom line
4Reduction of human suffering
4Continuous improvement process
Accident Investigation Slide 6
WHY DO ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATIONS FAIL ?



GROUP DISCUSSION
Accident Investigation Slide 7
WHY ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATIONS FAIL...
4Lack of time to complete
4Lack of motivation to complete
4Lack of accountability
4Lack of skills & knowledge
4Investigation stopped short and didnt reveal
all causes of the accident
Accident Investigation Slide 8
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
4Branch Management
4Safety Director
4Supervisors
4Task Force / Committee
Accident Investigation Slide 9
DEFINITION OF KEY WORDS
4Accident / Incident
4Frequency / Severity
4Exposure / Control
4Illness / Injury
4Property Damage
4Near Misses
4Root Causes
4Contributory Causes
Accident Investigation Slide 10
PRE-ACCIDENT PLANNING
4Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
4Training of key staff members
4Communications established
4Standard procedures established
4Necessary equipment and forms on hand
Accident Investigation Slide 11
WHICH ACCIDENTS NEED TO
BE INVESTIGATED ?
O Injury?
O Illness?
O Property damage?
O Near miss?


RECORD YOUR ANSWERS !
Accident Investigation Slide 12
WHICH ACCIDENTS NEED TO
BE INVESTIGATED ?
E Injury?
E Illness?
E Property damage?
E Near miss?


ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE !
Accident Investigation Slide 13
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION:
A 6-STEP PROCESS
Collect Information
g Analyze All Causes
@ Assess Future Accident Potential
j Develop Corrective Action
) Report Data and Recommendations
g Take Corrective Action and Monitor
Accident Investigation Slide 14
COLLECTING INFORMATION
ON-SITE:

4Securing the scene
4Investigating at the scene
4Recording key information
4Equipment is needed...
STEP 1
Accident Investigation Slide 15
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION KIT
4Camera
4Measuring tape
4Barricade tape
4Plastic vials with caps
4Graph paper
4Accident investigation forms
STEP 1
Accident Investigation Slide 16
COLLECTING INFORMATION
OFF-SITE:

4Interview key people
4Assess past accident history
4Review pertinent records
STEP 1
Accident Investigation Slide 17
INTERVIEWING TIPS
4Put the person at ease, explain purpose
4Fact-finding process, dont assess blame
4Ask open-ended questions
4Investigating the accident vs.
disciplining the employee
STEP 1
Accident Investigation Slide 18
REVIEWING RECORDS
4Standard Work Practices
4Job Safety Analysis
4Material Safety Data Sheets
4Employee Personnel Records
4Maintenance Logs
4Past Accident History
4Inspection Records
4MVRs
STEP 1
Accident Investigation Slide 19
DETERMINING CAUSES
4The root cause is the most fundamental and
direct cause of an accident or incident
4There may be one or more contributory
causes, in addition to the root cause
4Accident Investigation is ineffective unless all
causes are determined and corrected
STEP 2
Accident Investigation Slide 20
CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES
Can be classified as:

4Workplace Factors - Largely a function of
Management Practices

4Employee Factors - Largely a function of
Employee Behavior
STEP 2
Accident Investigation Slide 21
CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES
4Workplace Factors: Examples

- Improper Tools & Equipment
- Inadequate Maintenance
- Lack of Job Procedures
- Poor Workstation Set-Up
- Poor Housekeeping
- Lack of Job Supervision
- Lack of Job Training
STEP 2
Accident Investigation Slide 22
CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES
4Employee Factors: Examples

- Failure to Apply Training
- Task Exceeds Physical, Mental Capabilities
- Risk-Taking Behavior
- Fitness for Duty
(Substance Abuse, Fatigue, Effects
of Medication, Emotional Distress)
STEP 2
Accident Investigation Slide 23
DETERMINING ROOT CAUSES
4After answering Who, What, Where, When and
How initially, this step answers Why and
completes the puzzle

4Dont Stop Short !
STEP 2
Accident Investigation Slide 24
ASSESS FUTURE POTENTIAL
4Assess Severity

- Class A Hazard (Major)
- Class B Hazard (Serious)
- Class C Hazard (Minor)
STEP 3
Accident Investigation Slide 25
CLASS A HAZARD (MAJOR)
4A condition or practice likely to cause
permanent disability, loss of life, body part
and/or extensive property loss or damage
STEP 3
Accident Investigation Slide 26
CLASS B HAZARD (SERIOUS)
4A condition or practice likely to cause serious
injury or illness (resulting in temporary
disability) or property damage that is
disruptive, but less severe than Class A
STEP 3
Accident Investigation Slide 27
CLASS C HAZARD (MINOR)
4A condition or practice likely to cause minor
(non-disabling) injury or illness or non-
disruptive property damage
STEP 3
Accident Investigation Slide 28
CORRECTING THE CAUSES
4Control(s) must directly address each cause
identified
4Consider short term controls if permanent
controls are not readily available
4More than one control may be needed
4Use the Control Hit List to make sure that
the best control has been found
STEP 4
Accident Investigation Slide 29
THE CONTROL HIT LIST

1. Eliminate the Hazard
2. Substitute a less hazardous material
3. Use Engineering Controls
4. Use Administrative Controls
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
6. Training of Employees
STEP 4
Accident Investigation Slide 30
REPORT DATA &
RECOMMENDATIONS
4Document facts only
4Determine if the corrective action applies to
more than one employee, more than one job
function, more than one shift, etc.
4Prioritize corrective actions based on future
accident potential
4Submit both short term and long term solutions,
if necessary
STEP 5
Accident Investigation Slide 31
TAKE ACTION & MONITOR
4Ensure that long term solutions dont get
lost in the shuffle

4Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented
controls:

- Interview Employees
- Job Safety Analysis
- Accident / Incident Experience
STEP 6
Accident Investigation Slide 32
WHY ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATIONS FAIL...
4No time to complete
4No motivation to complete
4Lack of accountability
4Lack of skills & knowledge
4Investigation stopped short and didnt reveal
the root causes of the accident

WHICH OF THESE WILL BE AN OBSTACLE
FOR YOU?