ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

• Accident investigation is an essential and useful strategy to stop accidents from happening again or in the future
• Accident investigation


  The process of identifying the underlying reasons behind mishaps, workplace injuries, damage to properties, and near misses in order to stop them from reoccurring
• The investigation's primary focus should be on the facts because every accident is an incident, and they all need to be looked into
• All relevant information should be gathered, documented, and analyzed as part of the inquiry; safety recommendations should be issued as needed; any potential causes should be identified; and a final report should be completed
• Identifying the primary cause of an accident


  The main goal of an accident investigation
• Accidents may have been caused by other elements in addition to the primary cause
• Following the investigation's determination of the accident's main cause, contributing factors, and financial implications, the business should consider how to put plans into place to reduce or completely eradicate such incidents in the future
• Reasons accident investigations are conducted

  • Prevent recurrence
  • Comply with policies and regulatory requirements
  • Improve the supervisor's management approach
  • Maintain employee awareness-HSE
• Supervisors on-site, as well as qualified safety experts with relevant experience look into accidents
• Certain organizations have teams equipped with the necessary tools and devoted to investigating accidents and their aftermath
• Some businesses employ specific accident reporting templates that include recommendations and the causes of the incidents
• A thorough examination might identify a few contributory variables and suggest a number of preventative steps
• Accident investigation process


  • Fact-finding, not fault-finding
  • Determining the root causes of why the event occurred
  • Making changes so the event does not happen again
• Accidents and close calls (large and small) will be investigated with equal vigor
• Staff conducting accident investigations will be provided with training and tools
• Completed investigations will be audited to ensure they are being completed on a timely basis with an adequate level of detail
• Events and follow-up investigations play a vital role in increasing safety awareness, providing valuable opportunities for enhancing project safety and preventing incidents
• Regular safety discussions, such as weekly toolbox meetings, serve as effective platforms for raising awareness among workers and reinforcing safety protocols
• Near misses prompt adjustments to construction safety plans, ensuring continuous protection amid dynamic job site conditions
• By actively engaging in hazard mitigation and adapting safety protocols accordingly, organizations can effectively manage risks and maintain a safe working environment for their employees
• Secure the Accident Site


  1. Ensure the accident site remains secure throughout the investigation

  2. Barricade or isolate the accident area to warn people

  3. No items should be removed from the site to maintain evidence integrity and prevent contamination by passersby
• Plan the Investigation


  1. Decide who to involve and estimate duration, and resource needs

  2. Prepare a kit with relevant documents and equipment for efficiency
• Gather Information (Preliminary Facts)


  1. Collect essential details from sources like witnesses, physical evidence, and existing records

  2. Preserve evidence, especially substances prone to evaporation and susceptible to physical and chemical changes

  3. Collect information on nature, place, date, time of the accident, individuals involved, property damages, environmental impact

  4. Review existing records like employee records, equipment records, job or task records, previous accident investigation reports

  5. Collect physical evidence and store it properly

  6. Capture photographs to document the precise condition of the accident site

  7. Create sketches and drawings to identify and measure objects involved in the accident

  8. Identify and interview witnesses promptly
• Analyze the Facts


  Utilize methods like Cause and Effect Diagram, Why-Why Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis
• Recommending Corrective Actions

  1. Engineering Control - Implement measures to modify the physical environment or equipment to reduce hazards and enhance safety

  2. Administrative Control - Retrain employees who perform unsafe actions or make mistakes

  3. PPE - Provide appropriate personal protective equipment to mitigate hazards and safeguard individuals
• Document and Share the Results


  1. Prepare incident reports, fact sheets, alerts, and presentations

  2. Have the report reviewed and signed by involved parties before sharing key findings with management and workers
• Accident reports are crucial tools in workplaces for understanding incidents, evaluating impact, and implementing corrective actions
• Accident reports form the foundation of safety programs and continuous improvement efforts
• Administrative Control


  If an employee performs unsafe actions or makes mistakes, they should undergo retraining to ensure they understand their job responsibilities properly
• PPE


  Provide appropriate personal protective equipment to mitigate hazards and safeguard individuals
• Step Six: Document and Share the Results


  1. The investigation concludes when all matters are resolved, and findings are documented and shared with relevant parties

  2. Prepare incident reports, fact sheets, alerts, and presentations

  3. Have the report reviewed and signed by involved parties like supervisors, witnesses, and safety officers

  4. Share key findings with management and workers
• Accident reports


  • Crucial tools in workplaces for understanding incidents, evaluating impact, and implementing corrective actions
  • Form the foundation of safety programs, identifying patterns and trends, and facilitating targeted interventions
  • Foster accountability, identify areas for improvement, and promote employee well-being, ultimately fostering a safer work environment
• First Aid Report


  • The first aider or nurse fills out the first aid report for each new case
  • Copies of the report are sent to the safety departments or where the management may wish
  • Records the date, time, and place of the incident
  • Records the name and job of the injured or ill person
  • Records details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given
  • Records details about what happened to the person immediately afterwards
  • Records the name and signature of the first-aider or person dealing with the incident
• Supervisor's Accident Report


  • A crucial document for workplace accidents, serving various purposes like documentation, investigation, prevention, compliance, and insurance claims
  • In the Philippines, employers must submit an Employer's Work Accident/Illness Report (WAIR) to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) by the 30th day of each month, complying with Rule 1050 of the Philippine Occupational Safety and Health Standards, and includes a 20th-day submission and investigation report
• Monthly Accident Statistics Report


  • Details the number of accidents on a construction site, including the nature, severity, location, and contributing factors
  • Helps management assess safety performance, identify trends, evaluate safety measures, and implement corrective actions
  • Crucial for maintaining a safe working environment, ensuring compliance with regulations, and educating workers and stakeholders about potential hazards
  • Provides a concise summary of potential disruptions, aiding in preventing future incidents and enhancing safety protocols
• Hazard Report


  A document completed after an incident with potential harm, outlining the incident's details and any potential injuries or damage
• Near-Miss Report


  • Specifically used in industries with potential harm, this report documents situations that could have led to accidents but did not
  • Identifies potential hazards and aids in accident prevention
• Security Incident Report

  Documents security-related incidents, such as theft or cyber-attacks, providing an overview of the incident, when it occurred, and its resolution
• Fire Incident Report


  • Used to report fire-related incidents, including details like the date, time, location, type, and cause of the fire
  • This report is valuable for fire departments, insurance companies, and other organizations
• Safety is a top priority in construction projects, and accidents and near-misses provide opportunities to improve processes and workflows