Accident Investigation and Reporting
Lecturer: Asst.Prof.Dr. Emine ATASOYLU
Difference Between Accident Reports
and Accident-Analysis Reports
• There are accident reports and
accident-analysis reports. The latter
attempt to determine “why” and should
be completed by a professional.
Accident Investigations
• Accidents are investigated to identify
causal factors that could lead to other
accidents if not corrected, not to assign
blame.
• It is important to begin an accident
investigation as soon as possible after
an accident occurs so that evidence and
the memories of witnesses are still
fresh.
Accident Investigations
• Facts to be uncovered in an accident
investigation can be summarized as:
who, what, when, where, why and how.
Questions to ask when interviewing witnesses.
Reasons for Conducting Accident
Investigations
• When accidents occur in the workplace,
they should be investigated. Reasons
for conducting accident investigations
include:
Determine the cause so that future
accidents can be prevented
Fulfill any applicable legal and/or
regulatory requirements
Determine the cost of the accident
Reasons for Conducting Accident
Investigations
• When accidents occur in the workplace,
they should be investigated. Reasons
for conducting accident investigations
include:
Determine compliance with applicable
safety regulations
Provide information for processing
workers’ compensation claims
Common Causes of Accidents
• Common causes of accidents fall into
the following categories:
Personal beliefs and feelings
Decision to work unsafely
Mismatch or overload
Systems failure
Traps
Unsafe conditions
Unsafe acts
Conducting an Accident
Investigation
• Steps for conducting an accident
investigation are as follows:
Record all evidence
Photograph or videotape the accident
scene
Identify witnesses
Interview witnesses
Team Approach to Accident
Investigation
• Other members of the accident
investigation team might include:
Employees with knowledge of the work
in question
Member(s) of the safety committee
Union representative
Employees with experience in
conducting accident investigations
Team Approach to Accident
Investigation
• Other members of the accident
investigation team might include:
Outside expert(s)
Local government representative(s)
Categories of Witnesses
• Witnesses to accidents fall into two
categories:
Primary (eyewitnesses)
Secondary (were present at the scene,
but did not see the accident)
Tertiary (were not present but have
information that may be relevant)
Interviews
• Interviews should take place at the
accident site whenever possible. When
this isn’t practical, interviews should
take place at a neutral location that is
private and where the witness is
comfortable.
Getting at the Facts in an
Interview
• The keys to getting at the facts in an
interview are:
Put the witness at ease
Ask open-ended questions
Listen
Interrupt only if absolutely necessary
Eyewitnesses
• When possible, let eyewitnesses
reenact the accident through simulation
at the job site. Do not let them actually
perform the tasks that led up to the
accident.
The Accident Report
• The purpose of an accident report is to
record:
The findings of the accident
investigation
The cause or causes of the accident
Recommendations for corrective action
• Report forms should meet the record-
keeping standards of OSHA.
Adding Perspective to Accident
Photographs
• To overcome the perspective problem,
place a familiar object in the
photograph such as a ruler, coin, or
even the photographer’s finger.
• The added object will help viewers gain
the right perspective on the subject of
the photograph.
Sample accident report form.
Note: Complete one form for each injured worker.
