Cordova Chapter-8

CHAPTER
VIII:
ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION
General:
Accident investigation is an effective technique for preventing
recurring or future accidents. If anything positive results from an
accident, it is the opportunity to determine the causes and how to
eliminate them. Thorough accident investigation can point out the
problem areas within an organization. When these problems are
resolved, the result is a safer and healthier work environment.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Determine the Root Causes
2. Prevent Recurrence
3. Improve Safety Procedures
4. Promote Learning and Awareness
5. Comply with Legal Requirements
6. Facilitate Continuous Improvement
ACCIDENT REPORTING:
The basis of a good accident investigation program is an effective,

thorough accident system. Many supervisors made the common
mistake of reporting and investigating only serious accidents. To help
establish an effective accident reporting system, make sure you cover
the subject in your new-employee orientation program. Emphasize
that all accidents must be reported at once - whether they result in
personal injuries, illnesses, property damage, or simply near misses.
FINDING CAUSES:
The purpose of accident investigation is to determine the causes and
recommend corrective actions to eliminate or minimize these events.
Accident investigation should be aimed at fact-finding rather than
fault-finding; otherwise, the investigation may do more harm than
good. As you investigate, don't put the emphasis on identifying who
could be blamed for the accident. This approach can damage your
credibility and generally reduce the amount and accuracy of
information you receive from workers. Remember, to do a quality job
of investigating accidents, you must be objective and analytical.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
A serious accident may not have happened yet but it is essential that emergency procedures
be established before one does occur. A clear plan for handling accidents can prevent a
serious situation from getting further out of control and actually save lives, protect property.
and ensure a timely investigation. Management is responsible for developing such a plan, and
you are responsible for creating a plan specifically for your operation. Your emergency
procedures should specity what should be done in case of an accident. The plan should list
key names and phone numbers and assign specific tasks to various workers so that everyone
knows exactly what to do in an emergency. As the first-line supervisor, you will usually be
the first management representative to arrive at the scene of an accident. One of your first
steps is to notify the proper authorities and personnel in the company. These include your
boss, safety personnel, nurses, and first-aiders. Planning these steps in advance will help
make your actions more effective at the time of an accident.
A. Taking Immediate Action
The safety and health of employees and visitors must be your primary concern when
an accident occurs. If an injury or illness results, make sure the affected employee get
immediate medical attention. Take all the necessary steps to provide for emergency
rescue. In addition, take any actions that will prevent or minimize the risk of any
further accidents happening as a result of the initial emergency.
B. Securing the Accident Site

After rescue and damage control are completed, secure the accident site for the duration of the
investigation. You may need to barricade or isolate the accident scene with ropes, barrier tape,
cones, and/or flashing lights that can be used to warn people or otherwise restrict access to the
area. In extreme cases, you may want to post guards to make sure no one enters the accident
scene. Nothing should be removed from the accident site without the approval of the person in
charge. The site should be maintained as much as possible, just as it was at the time of the
accident to help investigators examine evidence.
C. Preserving Evidence
Time is of the essence when investigating accidents. The quicker you get to the scene of an
accident, the less chance any details will be lost. A prompt and careful investigation of the
scene will help to answer the questions of who, where, what, when, how, and why.
Preserving evidence at the accident scene ultimately makes the investigation less
frustrating. Evidence can be preserved on film, recorded on tape, diagrammed, or sketched.
Detailed notes must accompany any pictures or drawings.
D. Photography
The camera is one of the most valuable tools for studying accidents. A self-developing camera is
often preferred by those with no photographic experience. General and specific scenes should
be photographed in order to make comprehensive visual records. No one can predict in advance
which data will be most useful, so take photographs from many different angles. An old saying
for accident photographers is "overshoot and underprint" This means take every possible
photo you might need, and make the necessary enlargement after you've studied the proof set.
EFFECTIVE USE OF WITNESSES:
If witnesses are found and are
interviewed promptly, they can
serve as your best source of
information about an accident.
The following are useful tips
for finding and interviewing
witnesses.
A. Identifying Witnesses
Avoid restricting your search for witnesses
to those who saw the accident happen. B. Interviewing Process
Anyone who heard or knows something Witnesses should be interviewed one at a time
about the event can offer useful immediately after the accident. The accuracy of
people's recall is highest immediately following an
information. Ask witnesses to identify and
event. A prompt interview minimizes the possibility of
document the names of others who were in a witness subconsciously adjusting his or her story. If
the area so that everyone can be contacted. too much time is allowed to elapse, many things can
cloud a person's memory. For example, hearing the
opinions of others or reading stories about the
accident can influence a witness. A person with a vivid
imagination can "remember" situations that did not
actually occur. Make sure you set aside time at the
beginning of your accident investigation to interview
as many witnesses as you can.
C. How to Interview
When interviewing a witness, establish a relaxed atmosphere. Be a good listener. Witnesses should be
allowed to tell their stories without interruption or prompting. More detailed information can be sought
after the full story has been told. Interruptions can derail a person's train of thought, influence his or her
answers, and inhibit responses. Ask open-ended questions and avoid leading or putting words in the witness'
mouth. As you ask questions, make sure that the specifics of who, what, where, how and why are included.
Take notes and record employee statements for later review; however, do so as unobtrusively as possible. In
some cases, it may be best to wait until the employee has finished explaining what happened before making
notes or recording details. Always repeat the information as you heard it. This feedback technique reduces
misunderstanding and often leads to further clarifications. It is a good idea for you to solicit ider: from the
employees interviewed regarding ways to prevent a recurrence of the accident. Many times they will have
the best suggestions. This will also help them feel involved in the investigation and give you an opportunity
to recognize their willingness to participate. The interview should end on a positive note. Thank each
individual for his or her time, for the information supplied and for the ideas offered.
D. Reenact the Accident
You may want to ask employees to show you "what they mean
or how it happened." In some cases, reenacting an accident
can provide valuable information about how and why it
occurred. Expert investigators have learned to use this
technique with caution so that the reenactment doesn't cause
another accident.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT:
The purpose of an accident reporting is to alert and inform management
and other concerned people about the circumstances surrounding an
accident. The report should record in clear, concise language all the
appropriate details of the accident and of the subsequent investigation.
Write down all causal factors that might have led to the event. These factors
will be in one or more of the following categories: equipment, environment,
personnel, and management. Here are some typical questions to help you
identify the accident causes: Was there a safety procedure to detect the
hazardous condition? Was the correct equipment, material, or tool readily
available? If so, was it used according to established procedures?
A. Filling Out a Report Form
The following instructions apply to using the Accident Investigation Report
shown at Figure VIII-I. This report is designed primarily for investigation
of accidents involving injuries and occupational illnesses to include
property damage.
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS:
1. The purpose of accident investigation is to determine the
causes and recommend corrective actions to eliminate or
minimize these events. All accidents should be investigated.
The investigation should emphasize finding facts not finding
faults.
2. Supervisors should devise emergency procedures for

handling acer tents in their department. The plan should
specify what should be done in case of an accident, list key
names and phone numbers, and assign specific tasks to
workers.
3. When an accident occurs, supervisors should see that
injured workers get immediate medical attention, then secure
the accident site for the duration of the investigation.
Evidence can be preserved on film, recorded on tape,
diagrammed or sketched.
4. Witnesses are often the best source of information about an

accident. Supervisors should speak with anyone who was in
the accident area not only with those who actually witnessed
the event.
5. Witnesses should be interviewed one at a time
immediately after the accident to ensure accurate recall. The
supervisor may ask witnesses to reenact how an accident
happened
6. Accident reports are designed to inform management and

other concerned people about the circumstances surrounding
the accident. These reports must be filled out as completely
and thoroughly as possible.
Thank you.

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CHAPTER

The basis of a good accident investigation program is an effective,

B. Securing the Accident Site

2. Supervisors should devise emergency procedures for

4. Witnesses are often the best source of information about an

6. Accident reports are designed to inform management and

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