MODULE 6: EFFECTIVE INCIDENT / ACCIDENT ANALYSIS

More on surface causes

It's important to know most hazardous conditions in the workplace are the result of a number of unsafe or inappropriate behaviors that may occur anytime/many times, anywhere by any person(s) in the organization.

Some example of unsafe employee/manager behaviors include:

• Failing to comply with rules
• Using unsafe methods
• Taking shortcuts
• Horseplay
• Failing to report injuries
• Failing to report hazards
• Allowing unsafe behaviors
• Failing to train
• Failing to supervise
• Failing to correct
• Scheduling too much work
• Ignoring worker stress

More examples of direct and contributing surface causes:

1. Unguarded machinery exposing moving parts to employee.
2. Uneducated employee, first day on the job.
3. The employee removed a guard exposing himself to dangerous moving parts.
4. The employee did not perform required lockout/tagout procedures prior to servicing/maintenance.
5. The employee wore gloves while working around moving machinery parts.
6. The employer did not provide adequate safety orientation prior to the start of the employee's work tasks.
7. The employer did not provide adequate safety training related to removing machine guards -- lockout/tagout.
8. The employer did not provide adequate safety training about the prohibition of use of gloves while working near moving machinery parts.
9. The employer did not provide adequate supervision for during the employee's first day of work. He was "on his own" with no supervisory oversight during the first day of work.