Accident investigation procedures

Accident investigation Procedures - to e aluatc any EHS accidents that occur, with the focus on prevention of a recurrence... 

Edwards, M. 1981. The design of an accident investigation procedure. Applied Ergonomics 12 111-115. 

In reality, the steps do not occur one at a time. Several steps may overlap and occur at the same time. Figure 37-4 is a general flow chart of accident investigation procedures. Figure 37-5 is an expanded process for the investigative phase. 

Figure 37-4. Flow chart of accident investigation procedures. (From Accident/Incident Investigation Manual, 2 Edition, DOE/SSDC 76-45/27, SSDC 27, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC, November 1985.)...

The final record is the accident record, which should be an integral part of the company s accident investigation procedures. These records are generated when an... 

Accident investigation procedures need to be systematic. Good investigations ... 

Descriptions of the contractor s various safety programs, inciuding accident investigation procedures how safety HSE inspections are performed safety meetings substance abuse testing, inspection and preventive maintenance programs... 

The extent of the loss should not determine who should carry out the investigation. Past experience has shown that once there are fatalities, multiple fatalities, or great financial loss as a result of an accident, only then does top management get involved. What should determine participation in the near miss incident or accident investigation procedure is the potential for loss of the event, or what could have happened under slightly different circumstances ... 

NEAR MISS INCIDENT/ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE... 

Before the investigation can actually start, it is critical to determine the investigation procedure. How will the investigation unfold What are the protocols Hopefully, the company will already have an authorized accident investigation procedure developed as part of the company SMS. 

When establishing the company s accident investigation procedures and forms, all affected parts of the organization should be brought together to determine what information they need and why. This might include claims department, the safety department, legal department, workers compensation operations, etc. Once this has been completed, forms should be developed. Occupational Injury and Illness and Motor Vehicle are examples. 

Your company shonld have a formalized accident investigation procedure, which is followed by everyone. It should be set down in writing and end with a written report, using as a foundation your standard company accident investigation form. This may be a form developed by you (such as the example provided in Fignre 7.6). It may be yonr workers compensation form or an equivalent from your insurance carrier. 

According to McAteer, MSHA s accident investigation procedures are designed to establish all relevant facts about a mining accident in an orderly manner. The investigation includes three phases physical inspection of the mine, complete analysis and testing of mining equipment that may have been involved in the accident, and interviews of persons who may have relevant information about the conditions which led up to the accident. 

Prompt establishment of an accident investigation team is of major importance to the accident investigation. Of course, the team should be organized before an accident happens so that team members can become familiar with the accident investigation procedures. 

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