Conducting an Accident Investigation
Course 102
Safety Certified Supervisor Series

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION
2 What is an accident?
3 Why conduct an "investigation"?
4 The employer's mandate:
5 Are accidents always unplanned?
6 Accidents and incidents
7 MODULE 1: INITIATING THE PROCESS
8 First things first.. .lay the groundwork
9 Two things disappear after an accident occurs:
10 Secure the accident scene
11 If required, report the accident
12 Module 2 Introduction
13 MODULE 2: DOCUMENTING THE ACCIDENT SCENE
14 Why the team approach works best
15 Sample Accident Investigator's Kit
16 Methods to document the accident scene
17 Obtain initial statements.
18 Take photos of the accident scene.
19 Videotape the scene.
20 Sketch the accident scene.
21 Some sketching pointers:
22 Interview documents.
23 Module 2 Final Words
24 Module 3 Introduction
25 MODULE 3: CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS
26 Preparing for the interview
27 Cooperation
28 Effective Interviewing Techniques
29 Module 3 Last Words
30 Module 4 Introduction
31 MODULE 4: ANALYZING THE ACCIDENT PROCESS
32 Why accidents happen
33 Single Event Theory
34 The Domino Theory
35 Multiple Cause Theory
36 Sorting it all out…
37 Developing the sequence of events
38 The final event in an unplanned process.
39 Each event in the unplanned accident process describes a unique:
40 Paint a word picture
41 Module 4 Last Words
42 Module 5 Introduction
43 MODULE 5: DETERMINING SURFACE AND ROOT CAUSES
44 Old Theory - Worker Error
45 New Theory - Systems Approach
46 Time to analyze for cause
47 Three levels of cause analysis
48 The direct cause of injury
49 Let's take a look at some examples describing the direct cause of injury:
50 Hazardous conditions:
51 Unsafe behaviors:
52 Event Analysis
53 System Analysis to determine the root causes of accidents
54 Examples of safety management system functions
55 The role of safety engineers and safety coordinators
56 Module 5 Last Words
57 Module 6 Introduction
58 MODULE 6: DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS
59 Do it right!
60 What is an effective recommendation
61 Engineering controls.
62 Management controls
63 Personal protective equipment (PPE)
64 Recommend system improvements
65 A little about behavior-based safety (BBS)
66 Garbage In -- Garbage Out (GIGO)
67 Proactive recommendations
68 Answer Six Key Questions
69 Pinpoint the problem
70 What is the history of the problem?
71 Pinpoint the specific solution
72 Who is the decision maker?
73 Why is that person doing safety?
74 What will be the cost/benefits if the recommendation is approved and the predictable cost/benefits if not?
75 A simple cost-benefit analysis
76 Average direct dollar costs for different types of accidents
77 What are the estimated costs to the company if the hazard is eliminated?
78 Module 6 Last Words
79 Module 7 Introduction
80 MODULE 7: WRITING THE REPORT
81 The Accident Report Form
82 Section 1. Background.
83 Section II. Description of the accident
84 Section III. Findings
85 Sample primary surface cause finding statements
86 Sample secondary surface cause finding statements
87 Sample safety program implementation root cause finding statements
88 Sample safety program design root cause finding statements
89 Section IV. Recommendations
90 Sample recommendations that correct primary surface causes
91 Sample recommendations that correct secondary surface causes
92 Sample recommendations that correct implementation and design root causes
93 Section V. Summary
94 Section VI. Review and Follow-Up Actions
95 Section VII. Attachment
96 Module 7 Last Words