ERC Refinery Project HSE Training Program

Accident Investigation

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Accident Investigation

 An unfortunate and unexpected

event.

 A typical accident is the result

of many factors that all come
together at the same time.

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Accident Investigation

• Conducting a thorough
accident investigation can be
an essential component of
being an effective supervisor.

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Reasons to Conduct
Accident Investigations
• To prevent recurrence.

• To comply with policies and

regulatory requirements.

• To help maintain employee

awareness of the importance
of safe, healthy work habits.

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Supervisor’s Responsibility
Investigations are usually the
supervisor’s responsibility.

• Supervisors have a better

understanding of operations
and equipment.
• Employees may be willing to
speak more freely with their
supervisor.
• Supervisors have a personal
stake in accident
investigations.
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Accident Notification
• Supervisor’s can only
investigate accidents they
know about.
• Supervisors need to make
sure their employees
understand the notification
process.
• Cover notification
procedures in new hire
orientations and post
conspicuously in the work
area.
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Managing the Accident Scene
• Survey the scene.

• Treat the injured.

• Control remaining hazards.

• Isolate the site to protect

people and preserve
evidence.

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Conducting An Accident Investigation

An investigation contains
three steps:

1. Gather as much
information as possible.
2. Analyze the facts to
determine what the causes
were.
3. Make recommendations for
corrective measures to
prevent future accidents.

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Accident Investigation
Accident investigations
should begin as soon as
possible.

Because Once the accident

occur:
1- Operations are disrupted.
2- Memories fade.
3- Employees are at risk.

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Gathering Information

• Time and location of

accident.
• Environment
• Check that nothing was
moved, repositioned, turned
off, or taken from the scene
• Sources of information:
• Witnesses
• Physical evidence at the scene
• Existing records

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Finding The Witnesses
• Arriving at the scene PROMPTLY
is essential for the investigator.
• Ask questions to identify
employees that attended the
accident.
• Workers in adjacent areas may
have information on sights,
sounds, weather conditions,
lighting, noise, and other factors
related to the accident.
• Limit contact between witnesses.

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The Interview Process

• Get written statements

• Reassure the witness
• Let the witness tell the story
• Begin with open-ended
questions.
• Don’t ask leading questions
• Summarize
• Ask for recommendations
• Close on positive note

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Physical Evidences
• Sketches
• Valuable reference after conditions
have been returned to normal.
• Use reference points to show the
position of objects if it’s practical.
• Photographs
• Documents position and objects
condition.
• Take photos of anything that could
possibly be important.
• Ensure proper authorization is in place
prior taking pictures (confidentiality,
trade secret issues, etc.)
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Documenting Accident Investigation

Report forms should include the following:

• General information (basic facts about the accident, who,

what, when, where, why, how and so forth).
• Summary (a brief description of what happened).
• Analysis (a description of what caused the accident and
why it happened).
• Recommendations (suggestions to eliminate or control
recurrences).

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Existing Records

Utilize records to ensure thorough investigation

of:

• Employee records.
• Equipment records.
• Job or task records.
• Previous accident investigation reports.

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Recommendations

Recommendations are usually found within the following:

• Training programs.
• Inspections.
• JHAs.
• Employee performance observations.
• Safety meetings.

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Confidentiality of Reports

• Do not release any accident report to outside entities

without appropriate approval.
• Do not speak to outside insurance representatives or
outside attorneys unless approved by appropriate
management.
• Do not permit any photos to be taken outside the scope of
the investigation.
• Do no speak with the media. Instruct the media to call the
project manager for information.

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UNSAFE ACT

• Unsafe acts are made by

people; they are not made
by systems or by faulty
equipment. People make
unsafe acts.

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Unsafe Conditions

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Questions

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Thanks

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