Conducting an Accident Investigation
Course 102
Safety Certified Supervisor Series

MODULE 2: DOCUMENTING THE ACCIDENT SCENE

Methods to document the accident scene

Make personal observations.

With clipboard in hand, take notes on personal observations. Try to involve all the senses.

• What do you see? What equipment, tool, materials, machines, structures appear to be broken, damaged, struck or otherwise involved in the event? Look for gouges, scratches, dents, smears. If vehicles are involved, check for tracks and skid marks. Look for irregularities on surfaces. Are there any fluid spills, stains, contaminated materials or debris?
• What about the environment? Were there any distractions, adverse conditions caused by weather? Record the time of day, location, lighting conditions, etc. Note the terrain (flat, rough, etc.)
• What is the activity occurring around the accident scene?
• Who is there: Who is not? You'll need this information to take initial statements and interviews.
  
• Measure distances and positions of anything and everything you believe to be of any value to the investigation.