In the past, the term "accident" was often used when referring to an unplanned, unwanted event. To many, "accident" suggests an event that was random, and could not have been prevented. Since nearly all worksite fatalities, injuries and illnesses are preventable, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests using the term "incident" investigation.
Root causes of incidents are broken down into three levels: direct cause, indirect cause and basic cause. A direct cause is the result of physical contact with an object or hazardous substance and is usually the result of one or more unsafe acts, unsafe conditions or both. These unsafe acts and/or conditions are indirect causes, or symptoms. Unsafe acts and conditions are typically traceable to poor management policies and decisions or to environmental factors, which are known as basic causes. By eliminating one or more of the causes, many incidents are preventable.
Regardless of the cause, a follow-up incident investigation can assist in preventing future accidents in the workplace. OSHA strongly encourages employers to investigate all incidents in which a worker was hurt, as well as close calls (sometimes called "near misses"), in which a worker might have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different. Prompt reporting and recording of all injuries is essential for preserving the incident site and conducting a timely incident investigation.
An incident investigation form should be created to fit your company's specific needs. Your company's workers’ compensation insurance carrier may be able to provide you with an incident investigation form or you can create your own form to meet your company needs. At a minimum starting with the OSHA 301 form (Injury and Illness Incident Report) is suggested.
Incident investigation forms should consist of the following elements:
Investigating a worksite incident—a fatality, injury, illness or close call—provides you the opportunity to identify not only the potential hazards, but also the shortcomings in your safety and health program. Most importantly, it enables your business to identify and implement the corrective actions necessary to prevent future incidents. Addressing root causes is necessary to truly understand why an incident occurred, to develop truly effective corrective actions, and to minimize or eliminate serious consequences from similar future incidents.
The procedures used for incident investigation provide an important function for preventing incidents from reoccurring. However, a comprehensive safety management system encompassing all areas of safety, including incident prevention, should be developed.
Accident Investigation Summaries OSHA 170 Form
Safety and Health Topics, Incident Investigation, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.
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