Accident Investigation for 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 Near Miss Accident Investigation 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 Serious 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 Positive 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 Tasks Material Environment Personnel 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 the Accident 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 Initial Response Information Gathering Analysis and Conclusion 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 372-2171