How to conduct a workplace accident investigation: Quick and Easy Guide
Accidents can occur in any workplace, no matter how many measures management takes to prevent them. When a workplace accident occurs, the first response is usually to find someone to blame or identify why it happened.
Unfortunately, investigations can quickly become focused on blame rather than identifying the root cause. A blame-focused investigation does not help identify and fix the underlying problems that led to the accident. Instead, it leads to employees becoming defensive and a poor work environment where everyone fears making mistakes.
A better approach is to conduct an empathetic workplace accident investigation that identifies the multiple factors that could have caused the accident. This blog post will cover the importance of an empathetic investigation and discuss the steps needed to conduct one properly.
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How to conduct a workplace accident investigation?
To conduct an effective investigation, you need to identify the right team members who should be involved. For instance, you may need a safety manager or supervisor, a witness to the event, the victim, a human resources representative, an operations manager, and possibly an external investigator if the incident is severe. The incident investigation should be arranged, and the team assembled as soon as possible.
The team may need to know the equipment involved, the procedure in use, and the safety culture of the organization. Therefore, avoid personnel with a conflict of interest or who may have been involved in the incident.
Before the investigation team begins its work, you must provide them with adequate training on various techniques, such as why an empathetic approach is critical and how to interview people for sufficient evidence.
What are the critical pieces of an effective workplace accident investigation?
Certain critical pieces must be put in place for an investigation to be effective. These include:
SECURE THE ACCIDENT SCENE
The accident scene must be secured before the investigation paints a clear picture of what happened. It prevents further equipment damage or injury to other employees or visitors.
SECURE EVIDENCE
All evidence relevant to the accident should be identified, preserved, and easily accessible to the investigation team. Evidence may include witness statements, equipment, photographs, and any data logs, among others. Be sure to protect and store these artifacts and ensure confidentiality and proper handling.
RECORD VICTIM AND WITNESS STATEMENTS
Interviewing the victim(s) and witnesses may be an emotionally difficult step but is essential to understanding the incident. The investigation team should be appropriately trained to conduct a proper interview. The use of leading questions will taint the evidence and obscure the truth.
REVIEW AND ANALYZE EVIDENCE
Once the data is collected, the investigators should review the documentation coupled with their inquiry. It may involve re-creating the incident by examining how the accident happened or through a simulation. The team should identify the cause of the incident, all contributing factors, and corrective actions to be taken.
Must Read: 5 Steps for Successful Incident Investigation
How to conduct a fair and empathetic investigation?
When investigating an accident at the workplace, it’s essential to conduct the activity with empathy and respect. This approach will result in trust between all parties involved, ensuring the investigation results are objective despite the severity of the incident. Here are several guidelines to ensure an empathetic investigation:
Must Read: Top-Rated Accident Investigation Training Courses in 2024
MAKE SAFETY CULTURE A PRIORITY
The organization’s attitude toward safety is directly proportional to the number and frequency of accidents. Encourage an environment of learning from mistakes and how to prevent them instead of punishment for wrongdoing. Emphasize that safety comes first, and everyone is responsible for it.
LISTEN WITHOUT BIAS
Facilitate open and honest communications among all employees, emphasizing the importance of asking questions to help identify what went wrong during the incident. When conducting interviews, ask open-ended questions instead of leading questions to elicit factual information from the affected people.
Must Read: Health and Safety Training For Employees: 12 Benefits
DEVELOP A TIMELINE OF THE ACCIDENTS
The timeline assists in identifying the series of events that happened from beginning to end, helping to identify any errors that might have taken place. A comprehensive timeline will ensure critical details are included and give reviewers an accurate context of the incident.
USE EMPATHY WHEN SPEAKING AND COMMUNICATING
Do not engage in blame-shifting or speak negatively about any employee or entity related to the accident. Ensure the victim(s) are consulted and involved in the investigation process, given a chance to tell their side of the story.
TAKE STEPS TO MITIGATE THE ACCIDENT
To prevent future accidents, it’s crucial to identify the contributing factors to the accident and take corrective action. Depending on the severity of the accident, retraining employees or constructing physical safety barriers may be necessary.
BOTTOM LINE
Investigating workplace accidents goes beyond merely identifying the blame. A fair, empathetic investigation is necessary to identify and correct the underlying causes and take corrective measures to prevent the incident from recurring.
Conducting an investigation properly is as critical as preventing accidents from happening in the first place. By addressing the contributing factors of an incident and empathizing with all parties involved, employers can move beyond the blame game and create a safer work environment.
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