INTRODUCTION to ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION for SUPERVISORS Accident Investigation

INTRODUCTION to ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION for SUPERVISORS Accident Investigation Slide 1

TRAINING OBJECTIVES u. Explain the need for Accident Investigations u. Explain the benefits of Accident Investigations u. Provide the information necessary to properly complete Accident Investigations u. Provide the tools necessary to properly complete Accident Investigations Accident Investigation Slide 2

WHAT IS ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION? u. Process to determine the underlying causes of accidents u. Causal information used to identify and take preventive action u. Basic component of loss prevention Accident Investigation Slide 3

BENEFITS OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION ? GROUP DISCUSSION Accident Investigation Slide 4

BENEFITS OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. . . u. Prevention of future, similar losses u. Contribution to the bottom line u. Reduction of human suffering u. Continuous improvement process Accident Investigation Slide 5

WHY DO ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS FAIL ? GROUP DISCUSSION Accident Investigation Slide 6

WHY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS FAIL. . . u. Lack of time to complete u. Lack of motivation to complete u. Lack of accountability u. Lack of skills & knowledge u. Investigation stopped short and didn’t reveal all causes of the accident Accident Investigation Slide 7

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES u. Branch Management u. Safety Director u. Supervisors u. Task Force / Committee Accident Investigation Slide 8

DEFINITION OF KEY WORDS u. Accident / Incident u. Frequency / Severity u. Exposure / Control u. Illness / Injury u. Property Damage u. Near Misses u. Root Causes u. Contributory Causes Accident Investigation Slide 9

PRE-ACCIDENT PLANNING u. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities u. Training of key staff members u. Communications established u. Standard procedures established u. Necessary equipment and forms on hand Accident Investigation Slide 10

WHICH ACCIDENTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED ? p p Injury? Illness? Property damage? Near miss? RECORD YOUR ANSWERS ! Accident Investigation Slide 11

WHICH ACCIDENTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED ? þ þ Injury? Illness? Property damage? Near miss? ANSWER: ALL OF THE ABOVE ! Accident Investigation Slide 12

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION: A 6 -STEP PROCESS Ê Collect Information Ë Analyze All Causes Ì Assess Future Accident Potential Í Develop Corrective Action Î Report Data and Recommendations Ï Take Corrective Action and Monitor Accident Investigation Slide 13

STEP 1 COLLECTING INFORMATION ON-SITE: u. Securing the scene u. Investigating at the scene u. Recording key information u. Equipment is needed. . . Accident Investigation Slide 14

STEP 1 ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION KIT u. Camera u. Measuring tape u. Barricade tape u. Plastic vials with caps u. Graph paper u. Accident investigation forms Accident Investigation Slide 15

STEP 1 COLLECTING INFORMATION OFF-SITE: u. Interview key people u. Assess past accident history u. Review pertinent records Accident Investigation Slide 16

STEP 1 INTERVIEWING TIPS u. Put the person at ease, explain purpose u. Fact-finding process, don’t assess blame u. Ask open-ended questions u. Investigating the accident vs. disciplining the employee Accident Investigation Slide 17

STEP 1 REVIEWING RECORDS u. Standard Work Practices u. Job Safety Analysis u. Material Safety Data Sheets u. Employee Personnel Records u. Maintenance Logs u. Past Accident History u. Inspection Records u. MVRs Accident Investigation Slide 18

STEP 2 DETERMINING CAUSES u. The root cause is the most fundamental and direct cause of an accident or incident u. There may be one or more contributory causes, in addition to the root cause u. Accident Investigation is ineffective unless all causes are determined and corrected Accident Investigation Slide 19

STEP 2 CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES Can be classified as: u. Workplace Factors - Largely a function of Management Practices u. Employee Factors - Largely a function of Employee Behavior Accident Investigation Slide 20

STEP 2 CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES u. Workplace 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 Accident Investigation Slide 21

STEP 2 CATEGORIES OF ROOT CAUSES u. Employee 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) Accident Investigation Slide 22

STEP 2 DETERMINING ROOT CAUSES u. After answering Who, What, Where, When and How initially, this step answers Why and “completes the puzzle” u. Don’t Stop Short ! Accident Investigation Slide 23

STEP 3 ASSESS FUTURE POTENTIAL u. Assess Severity - Class A Hazard (Major) - Class B Hazard (Serious) - Class C Hazard (Minor) Accident Investigation Slide 24

STEP 3 CLASS “A” HAZARD (MAJOR) u. A condition or practice likely to cause permanent disability, loss of life, body part and/or extensive property loss or damage Accident Investigation Slide 25

STEP 3 CLASS “B” HAZARD (SERIOUS) u. A 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 Accident Investigation Slide 26

STEP 3 CLASS “C” HAZARD (MINOR) u. A condition or practice likely to cause minor (non-disabling) injury or illness or nondisruptive property damage Accident Investigation Slide 27

STEP 4 CORRECTING THE CAUSES u. Control(s) must directly address each cause identified u. Consider short term controls if permanent controls are not readily available u. More than one control may be needed u. Use the “Control Hit List” to make sure that the “best” control has been found Accident Investigation Slide 28

STEP 4 THE CONTROL HIT LIST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Eliminate the Hazard Substitute a less hazardous material Use Engineering Controls Use Administrative Controls Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training of Employees Accident Investigation Slide 29

STEP 5 REPORT DATA & RECOMMENDATIONS u. Document facts only u. Determine if the corrective action applies to more than one employee, more than one job function, more than one shift, etc. u. Prioritize corrective actions based on future accident potential u. Submit both short term and long term solutions, if necessary Accident Investigation Slide 30

STEP 6 TAKE ACTION & MONITOR u. Ensure that long term solutions don’t get “lost in the shuffle” u. Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented controls: - Interview Employees - Job Safety Analysis - Accident / Incident Experience Accident Investigation Slide 31

WHY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS FAIL. . . u. No time to complete u. No motivation to complete u. Lack of accountability u. Lack of skills & knowledge u. Investigation stopped short and didn’t reveal the root causes of the accident WHICH OF THESE WILL BE AN OBSTACLE FOR YOU? Accident Investigation Slide 32