ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION

This dynamic and interactive program is designed to familiarize 

supervisors, committee members, and selected workers with the proper 

procedures for thoroughly investigating accidents or incidents, and 

to take a pro-active approach toward reducing or eliminating any 

potential hazards which may exist in the work place.



Recent statistics show that the average cost of an industrial accident 

with respect to sick benefits and compensation is around $78,000.00 per 

person, per accident. This alarming figure covers accidents that stem 

from all reported injuries, from paper cuts, right through to major 

injuries and deaths.



Since over 90% of all industrial accidents could have been avoided by 

following proper procedures and taking the appropriate preventative 

measures, the need for a clear and concise training program is evident. 

The following is a brief overview of the Accident/Incident Investigation 

Program:



Introduction:



This program opens with a discussion about the frequency and severity of 

accidents that are occurring in the workplace. The participants are given

several sample accidents, and asked to identify their respective causes. 

These answers will be compared with the answers received after the 

training has been completed in order to stress accuracy in the reporting 

process. The introduction also identifies the topics that will be covered

throughout the program.



The Basic Procedure:



The key to a successful accident investigation is to use a checklist, and

to have a company policy set forth covering the interviewing process, 

ensuring privacy, posting and notification of accidents, reporting 

procedures, paperwork, keeping the investigation unbiased, objective 

opinions, determining the causes, and implementing an action plan to

avoid similar incidences from occurring in the future.



Identifying Hazards:



Knowledge of any existing hazard areas is crucial before becoming part of an 

accident investigation team. The participants will learn about common 

hazards in the workplace such as chemical handling and storage, material 

handling, confined spaces, lockout/Tagout areas, lifting and stacking, 

emergency response plans, personal protective equipment, ladders and 

stairs, manlifts, and machine guarding. Each of these common hazard areas

will be covered in depth to ensure a greater understanding for all 

involved.



An Ounce of Prevention.......



Throughout this program, the participants will be given different 

scenarios involving accidents or incidences in the workplace. Some of 

these exercises will be covered as a group, while others will be answered

individually. The main focus will be to determine the main cause of the 

accident, other causes that may have affected the outcome, determine who 

was involved, and discover how these accidents could have been avoided.



Prescribed and Legislated Procedures:



In this section, the participants will learn about the various laws 

governing accident investigations. In addition, we will cover how to 

determine which sections and regulations of the Occupational Health and 

Safety Act may have been violated in the scenarios, and learn how to 

protect against liability through a greater understanding of the law.  

Emphasis will also be placed on Supervisor and Worker responsibilities 

under the Act, and the possibility of a shift in liability in the event 

of negligence. This point will be driven home by a discussion about 

various Ministry of Labor fines, and when they may be levied.



The Accident Scene:



This section covers how the accident scene must be approached, barricaded,

and left untouched. The participants will learn the proper procedures for

taking statements from witnesses, and comparing those statements with 

existing company policies and legislated regulations. In some cases, a 

reenactment of the accident may be necessary, and proper recording of the

information must take place.



Consequences:



Many industrial accidents take place due to gross negligence on the part 

of the worker. When this is the case, immediate disciplinary action must 

be taken, and all policies and laws must be enforced sin order that 

future accidents can be avoided.



Action Plans:



The buck doesn’t stop here!!! The participants will learn how to gather 

all information and set forth an action plan for improvement and hazard 

reduction. Communication is the key to success. The need for training or 

cross training may be necessary, as well as a plan for follow up. These 

topics will be covered in detail.



Interactive Investigations:



To conclude this program, the participants will take part in several 

sample investigations, as well as compare answers to the previous 

scenarios. Please note that testing procedures will be performed on a 

modular basis.