ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Occupational
Accident
Safety Investigation
and Health Center

Session Objectives
At the end of this session, participants
will be able to:
discuss the importance of accident
investigation
explain the accident investigation
process

Accident Investigation

Accident
An unplanned and unexpected occurrence
that may result to injury or death to a
person and/or damage to properties

Accident Investigation

Accident Investigation
A methodical effort to collect and interpret the
facts of accident.
An inquiry as to how and why the accident
occurred in order to explore actions that should
be taken to prevent or minimize recurrence of
the accident.
Most important - Investigation is not intended
to place blame.

Accident Investigation

Purposes of
Accident Investigation

To establish all facts

To draw conclusion
To make recommendations
To prevent recurrence

Accident Investigation

Types of Accident to be
Reported

Fatal Accidents
Accident-causing injury or illness
Diseases
Dangerous occurrences
Near miss

Accident Investigation

Who Should Conduct Accident

Investigation?

Safety and Health Committee

Supervisors
Safety Officer
Other investigation teams

Accident Investigation

The Investigation Process

Manage the scene

Gather information
Analyze facts to determine the cause(s)
Make and take recommended actions
Prepare and endorse report
Follow up
8

Accident Investigation

Manage the Scene

Treat the Injured

Control/Eliminate the Remaining Hazards
Isolate the Site
Preserve the Evidence

Accident Investigation

Sources of Information

Time and location

Environment
Physical evidence
Witnesses
Employee records

10

Accident Investigation

Determine Causes
Contributing Factors
Work Environment
Equipment
Material
Systems and Procedures
Human Behavior

11

Accident Investigation

Find Root Causes

When you have determined the
contributing factors, dig deeper!
If employee error, what caused that
behavior?
If defective machine, why wasnt it fixed?
If poor lighting, why not corrected?
If no training, why was it?

12

Accident Investigation

Prepare A Report
Accident Reports should contain the
following:
Description of the incident and injuries
Sequence of events
Pertinent facts discovered during the
investigation
Conclusions of the investigator(s)
Recommendations for correcting the
problem(s)
13

Accident Investigation

14

Accident Investigation

15

Accident Investigation

Make Recommendations
Determine corrective actions
- Recommendations based on key
contributory factors and underlying/root
causes
- Select the ones likely to be most effective,
most cost beneficial and most acceptable
- Establish time table
- Recommendation(s) must be
communicated clearly
16

Accident Investigation

Implement and Follow up

Monitor Implementation of Corrective
Action
Conduct Follow up and Review

17

Accident Investigation