Health and Safety Office Accident Investigation Objectives Understand the importance of the need for effective and thorough investigation of an accident Demonstrate practical skills required to respond and investigate an incidentaccident in a consistent manner ID: 1026288
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1. Accident InvestigationsHealth and Safety Office
2. Accident Investigation - Objectives Understand the importance of the need for effective and thorough investigation of an accidentDemonstrate practical skills required to respond and investigate an incident/accident in a consistent mannerMake meaningful recommendations for preventive actions to reduce potential risks that may contribute to accidents
3. Accident Training Investigations - Objectives (cont.)Understand the investigator’s critical role in the accident investigation and the accident reporting processDetermine the cause(s) of an accident and make recommendations to help prevent a recurrence of a similar type of incident
4. What is an Accident ?An accident is an undesired event that results in physical harm to a person or damage to property.
5. Purpose of an Accident InvestigationThe purpose of an accident investigation is to prevent a recurrence of the accident. The focus should be on the accident , not the injury
6. Effective Accident InvestigationsWhat to Look for:Policies/Procedures Equipment Materials Environment Task People/OperatorsAccidents generally have more than one cause which enables investigators to get to the root cause
7. Who Investigates Accidents?SupervisorsThey know their people, the conditions and the job.They know how to get the information needed.They can take action to prevent a recurrence.
8. JHSC RepresentativeThey are familiar with the people and workplace.They have a legal requirement to investigate Critical InjuriesThey have been trained in Accident InvestigationWho Investigates Accidents?
9. Who Investigates Accidents?Government and Business AgenciesMinistry of LabourMinistry of the EnvironmentFire Department OfficialsWorkplace Safety & Insurance Board
10. Immediately or ASAP ( If a Critical Injury, secure the scene and advise the MOL ) When To Investigate An Accident
11. Critical Injury DefinedThe OHSA defines a critical injury as an injury of serious nature that: a) places life in jeopardy; b) produces unconsciousness; c) results in substantial loss of blood; d) involves the fracture of a leg or arm but not a finger or toe; e) involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot but not a finger or toe; f) consists of burns to a major portion of the body; or g) causes the loss of sight in an eye.
12. When A Critical Injury Occurs…The accident scene must be preserved as per the legislation, No person shall interfere with, disturb, destroy, alter or carry away any wreckage, article or thing at the scene of or connected with the occurrence until permission to do so has been given by a Ministry of Labour Inspector, except for the purpose of:Saving life or relieving human suffering; orPreventing unnecessary damage to equipment or other property.
13. Critical Injury ContinuedThe accident scene will remain secured and no work activity will be performed in the area until Health & Safety has been notified by the Ministry of Labour that the investigation is complete and normal work activities can be resumed.An investigation shall commence immediately.External agencies such as Ministry of Labour, Windsor Police Services, Coroner, etc. may take charge of the scene and conduct their own independent investigation.Health & Safety shall complete the Critical Injury Report Form (OHS-5.2.2b) and notify a certified JHSC member
14. What Equipment Is Required?Personal Protective EquipmentCaution TapeMeasuring TapeGraph PaperPencilsLockout / TagoutClipboardCameraFlashlight (with batteries)Emergency Phone NumbersAccident Investigation Forms
15. At the Accident SceneControl the ScenePeople are the first priority- make sure the area is safe to enter; send for help; administer first aid if it is safe to do so;Stop Ongoing Hazards Get personal protective equipment; provide emergency lighting, power, air, etc.Shut down equipment if safe to do so;
16. At the Accident SceneSecure the Scene and Protect EvidenceRope off the area or use guards or barriersIssue lock outs/tag outs for defective equipmentRecord evidence during investigation and make sure no one moves or destroys evidence
17. At the Accident SceneCollect EvidenceTake notes, pictures, sketches of tools, equipment, layout, etc.Note air quality and environmental conditions, observe(foot prints, tire tracks); collect logs, chart, records.Record ID numbers of equipment and get maintenance records; Take measurements and dimensions.
18. At the Accident SceneLook for Contributing Factors:HousekeepingFloor/surface conditionsNoiseAir quality/temperature/weatherEquipment malfunctionSupervisionEmployee morale/attitude/healthAlcohol/drug abuse
19. Immediate Causes Struck ByStruck AgainstSlip/TripCaught In, On, Between, or UnderFall On, In, or FromScraped / Rubbed AgainstOverexertion or Body StrainContact with - Electricity - Heat or Cold - Radiation - Noise - Hazardous Materials
20. Basic Causes Lack of preventative maintenanceServicing or Moving EquipmentFailure To Warn or SecureTampering or Removing Safety Devices or no Safety DeviceUnsafe Working / Travelling SpeedAwkward Working Posture or PositionIncorrect Equipment Inadequate or Improper Work Practices
21. Root Causes Lack of Skill or KnowledgePhysical and/or Psychological ProblemsMaintenance or designAbnormal UsageExcessive Wear and TearLack of Programs and ProceduresHazards not reported
22. Root Causes continuedCondition of surfacesInadequate ventilationExtreme temperatures and/or noiseInadequate housekeeping or lightingImproper HandlingWrong type of MaterialsExposure to toxic Chemicals or Physical Agents
23. Equipment or Conditions InvolvedEquipmentMetal Lab cartSpecimen BlenderMetal work counterelectrical applianceplug-ins (cart & counter)metal sinkEyeglassesFume HoodConditionswater on floordamaged equipmentrunning waterIce and snow on ground
24. Accident Investigation ProcessResponseAssess Scene / Identify WitnessesPreserve EvidenceNotificationInterview WitnessesAnalysis and ConclusionsRecommendations Follow up
25. Accident Investigation FormsAccident/Incident Investigation Report (OHS 5.2.2a)Campus Police Event Report
26. Eye WitnessFirst Person (s) at the scene WitnessSurrounding Events WitnessPerson Having KnowledgeWho Are The Witnesses ?
27. Interview ProcessFirst - Get an overall summarySeparate All WitnessesInterview Each Witness Alone and In PrivateInterview Eye Witnesses FirstInterview At Accident Scene (when safe to do so)
28. Effective Interview TechniquePut person at easeExplain purpose of accident investigationListen to the individual’s versionAsk the right questions at the right timeRepeat the information given back to the individualAlways thank person for their cooperationImmediately document critical informationProvide drawings and photos where usefulProbe for Basic/ Root CausesKeep the door open for further information
29. Interviewing Questions To AskWhere were you when the accident occurred?What were you doing at the time ?What did you see and hear ?What were the environmental conditions ?What was the injured worker doing at the time ?In your opinion, what caused the accident ?How might similar accidents be prevented in the future ?
30. Determining Root Cause: Interviewing Questions to Ask Ask “WHY” 5 times to determine root cause“He was lying on the floor” - Why?“Because there was water on the floor” - Why?“Because there was a leak in the sink” - Why?“Because maintenance hadn’t fixed it” - Why?“Because they weren’t aware of the leak” - Why?“Because it wasn’t reported by the department”
31. Typical InvestigationWho was injured?What happened?How to prevent a recurrence?John DoeSlipped on spill on floor and struck his head.All leaks should be reported to Maintenance. Spills should be cleaned up right away and a sign saying wet floor should be placed on the floor.
32. Recommendations & Follow-UpHave intermediate control measures been implemented prior to final corrective measure ? Have the intermediate or final corrective measures resulted in further hazards?Are the control measures sufficient?How effective are the control measures ?Has there been follow-up and an analysis of the corrective measures to ensure they have been implemented and are effective ?
33. ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONSAccidents generally have more than one cause Keep asking (5 times) WHY until you determine the root cause
34. Thank You !For more information contact Health and Safety at ext. 4521www.uwindsor.ca/safety