Accidents and incidents in the workplace can happen at any time and can lead to harmful consequences such as injuries, fatalities, property damage, and more. Having a crucial understanding of how and why the incidents and accidents have happened helps in preventing similar kinds of occurrences in the future. Here lies the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation that helps in identifying the potential causes of an incident, undertake effective measures and improve workplace safety.
What is Accident/Incident Investigation?
It is a systematic approach to finding out the root causes of accidents or incidents in the workplace. The ultimate goal of the procedure is to learn from the mistakes and avoid future happenings, rather than just blaming things. A typical investigation procedure involves gathering evidence, assessing the collected information and giving recommendations to improve safety practices.
Why should you conduct an Accident and Incident Investigation?
- To avoid accidents in future
- Ensure legal responsibility
- Improve workplace safety
- Enhance employee trust
- Prevent financial loss
Who is Responsible for an Accident and Incident Investigation?
Generally, a designated safety officer or a well-trained investigative team will be given the responsibility to conduct an accident/incident investigation. Based on the severity and complications of the incidents, supervisors, managers or other specialists may be involved in the investigations.
6 Important Steps for an Effective Incident Investigation
Step 1: Collect information
The foremost step in the procedure is to collect as much as possible information about the incident. This covers obtaining statements from witnesses, taking images of the scene, getting surveillance footage, and looking for essential records or paperwork. This is an important step to gain a clear picture of what has happened before, during and after the incident.
Step 2: Secure the scene
Securing the scene helps in preserving the evidence and avoids any such happenings in the future. This crucial step involves protecting the area, mitigating the potential risks, and restricting access to limited personnel involved in the investigation. This step helps in the integrity of the evidence and assures accuracy in analysis.
Step 3: Analyze the Facts
This step involves assessing the information to determine the causes of the occurrence. This analysis extends to exploring the causes such as equipment failure, human mistakes, and errors in procedures and any potential causes in the workplace environment. This procedure aims at finding out both the immediate and possible causes of the occurrences.
Step 4: Recommendation measures
Depending on the findings, the investigation team will come up with practical and relevant measures that will prevent future incidents. The recommendations will cover updates to existing operating procedures, systems, training, machinery or working conditions.
Step 5: Preparation of reports
A well-documented report should be maintained to preserve the findings and recommendations of the investigation. The report should be clear, concise, and detailed and address all queries of the enquiry and also has to cover incidents in brief, findings, corrective measures taken and the conclusion of the investigation.
Step 6: Follow Up
The suggested corrective actions should be implemented and monitored for their effectiveness.
An effective accident or incident investigation is a vital aspect of a sound health and safety policy system. By identifying the potential causes of the happenings and deriving proactive safety measures, organizations demonstrate their responsibility towards improved workplace safety.
Green World Group is a trusted partner in raising the bars of workplace and safety standards. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Green World Group offers effective training that cultivates safer workplaces devoid of accidents and incidents.
Contact Us
Kindly call our Experts @ +91 8121563728 / +91 8015527650 or mail us @ kalyan.r@greenwgroup.com / indumanasa.m@greenwgroup.com
Get Your Query Answered / Get Expert Assistance To Choose the Right Course for You Or Your Associates
