Accident Investigation

 Introduction:

The object of our safety team program is the prevention of accidents. However, accidents still happen, even in companies with excellent safety programs. When accidents do occur, they are investigated. All accidents, including minor and near miss occurrences, are investigated to determine the cause (unsafe act and/or unsafe condition). We do more with an accident investigation than just fill out an accident form. The purpose of our accident investigation is to determine the facts about what caused the accident, not to fix blame. After the cause is determined, we act immediately to control or eliminate the hazard before another similar accident has time to happen. A thorough investigation is always done. This is our key to completing an effective investigation. Frequently, the obvious conditions observed following the accident or the actions of the employee at the time of the accident are not the root cause of the accident. Identifying the reasons why an unsafe action was performed or why an unsafe condition existed is necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.

 Listed below are the following steps Contract Communications Co. has taken to ensure a proper investigation program:

- Established a company policy that all injuries and property damage caused by accidents will be investigated. Even near miss incidents are reviewed

- Assigned responsibility, authority, and accountability for administering the program

- An emergency procedure which all employees are familiar with

- Developed an accident investigation procedure that will be implemented after every accident

- All personnel have been trained to perform investigation. Personnel responsible for investigation are familiar with the accident investigation policy and know how to complete an effective safety investigation

 The following steps are taken after an accident:

- Provide care and if necessary, transportation to a medical facility for the injured person(s)

- Protection of the property and equipment from any further damage

- The scene of the accident is secured until the investigator (safety coordinator or supervisor) can observe the area, take pictures, make sketches, and obtain necessary information about the scene. All accidents are investigated as soon as possible but always within 24 hours

- Witnesses are interviewed. All workers near the scene of the accident are interviewed, even if they did not see the actual occurrence. Explanation to the witnesses for the purpose of the investigation. Witnesses are always interviewed separately, not in a group

- Interview with the injured employee is done as soon as possible

- Completion of the accident report to determine the correction is necessary to prevent future occurrences. All information included in the investigation report is factual. Misleading information or incomplete reports are not accepted. Incorrect or incomplete reports are useless.