Accident Accident Investigation Investigation

for Supervisorsfor Supervisors

Introduction

• Most Frequent BGSU OSHA Recordable Injuries/Illnesses– Slips, trips and falls– Strains and sprains– Cuts– Struck by an object

Objectives

• Types of accidents • Causes or contributing factors of accidents• How to perform an accident investigation• What documentation should be completed

Overview

• The failure of people, equipment, supplies or surroundings to behave or react as expected, causes most accidents.

• Accident investigations determine how and why these failures occur.

• Accident investigations are a tool for supervisors and accident investigation teams to find main causes of illnesses, injuries, and “near misses” allowing for corrective actions.

Overview

• Departments are encouraged to use the BGSU Accident Investigation Report Form as a method of reducing hazards in their areas.

• The aim of an accident investigation should be to prevent recurrence of the same accident.

Definitions• Accident

– An unplanned event that interrupts the completion of an activity that may or may not result in personal injury, illness or in property damage.

• Near Miss– An unplanned event that interrupts the

completion of an activity which directly involves the workers and does not result in personal injury, illness or in property damage.

• Accident Investigation– The process of determining the causes of

accidents and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Types of Accidents

• Minor Accidents– Accidents that cause minor injury/illness,

requiring little or no treatment, or property damage.

• Serious Accidents– Accidents that cause injury/illness or damage

to equipment and/or property. If the accident is considered an OSHA recordable the accident is serious.

Outcomes of Accidents

• Negative– Injury, illness, or death, property and

equipment damage, lost productivity, poor morale and $$$$$$.

• Positive– Accident investigations

• increase productivity, improve operations, raise awareness and prevent recurrence.

Causes and Contributing Factors of Accidents

• Accident Causation Model 1. Tasks

2. Material

3. Environment

4. Personnel

5. Management

1. Task

• Ergonomics

• Safety work procedures

• Condition changes

• Process

• Materials

• Workers

• Appropriate tools/materials

• Safety devices (including lockout)

2. Material

• Equipment failure

• Machinery design/guarding

• Hazardous substances

• Substandard material

3. Environment

• Weather conditions

• Housekeeping

• Temperature

• Lighting

• Air contaminants

• Personal protective equipment

4. Human Factor

• Level of experience

• Level of training

• Physical capability

• Health

• Fatigue

• Stress

5. Management/Process Failure

• Visible active senior management support for safety

• Safety policies

• Enforcement of safety policies

• Adequate supervision

• Knowledge of hazards

• Hazard corrective action

• Preventive maintenance

• Regular audits

Who Should Perform theAccident Investigation?

• Dependent on the severity– Person involved– Supervisor– Environmental Health and Safety

• The advantage of having a supervisor perform the investigation is the supervisor is likely to be the most knowledgeable about the work, the persons involved, and current conditions.

• The supervisor can also take immediate remedial action.

Steps in an Accident Investigation

1. Initial Response

2. Information Gathering

3. Analysis and Conclusion

4. BGSU Accident Investigation Report

Step 1 - Initial Response

• After an accident occurs, the initial response should be as follows:– Get treatment for individuals that may

be injured.– Assure the safety of others.– Secure the site.– Complete the BGSU Injury/Illness

Reporting Form.

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Inspect the accident site and note information such as:– Positions of injured workers– Equipment and materials being used– Safety devices in use– Position on appropriate guards– Positions of controls of machinery– Damage to equipment– Housekeeping of the area– Weather conditions– Lighting levels– Noise levels

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Gather information:– On procedures and rules for the

area– On maintenance records and

equipment involved– By taking photographs and

making diagrams – From employees

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Interview– Injured person or persons– Witnesses– Supervisors

• It is important to interview to establish an understanding and to obtain in his/her own words what happened.

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Interview Do’s– Put the witness, who is probably upset, at ease– Emphasize the real reason for the

investigation, to determine what happened and why

– Let the witness talk, you listen– Confirm that you have the statement correct– Try to sense any underlying feelings of the

witness– Make short notes only during the interview– Ask open ended questions

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Interview Do Not’s– Intimidate the witness– Interrupt– Prompt– Ask leading questions– Show your own emotions– Make lengthy notes while the witness is

talking

Step 2 – Information Gathering

• Ask Who? What? Where? When? How?

• Conduct interviews separately

• Make it clear that the investigation is used to avoid recurrence and not to place blame

Step 3 – Analysis and Conclusion

• Isolate contributory factors– Would the accident have occurred if this particular factor

was not present?

• Determine– Why the accident occurred– A likely sequence of events and probably causes

• Accident Tree Handout (Tab 1)• Example

– Bad Report (Tab 2)– Better Report (Tab 3)

Step 3 – Analysis and Conclusion

• Draw conclusions and make recommendations based on key contributing factors and causes.

• Implement corrective actions and set a time table to complete them.

Step 4 - BGSU Accident Investigation Report

• Statement of injured or ill employee concerning the incident and injured employee information

• Witness statements• Equipment involved• Other factors or contributing causes• Corrective action plan

Tab 4

Summary

What are the different types of accidents

What causes or contributes to accidents

How do you perform an accident investigation

What documentation should be completed

Where to Get More Information

• Injury and Illness Reporting and Job Safety at BGSU Training

• Environmental Health and Safety Web Site

http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/envhs• Environmental Health and Safety

102 College Park

372-2171