Why should accident be investigated? Is there any
guidance document for accident investigation?
Accident term is defined as unplanned or undesired event
lead to injury. Incident term is defined as unplanned or undesired event may be
results into injury, no injury or property loss. Few organisations investigate
all incidents (both accident and near miss) either minor or major. Some
organisations prefer to investigate reportable incident (Reportable as per
local law). However it is better to investigate each and every minor incident
because as per domino’s theory these one of the minor incident ultimately
results into major one.
Reasons for accident investigation
1-
Prime reason for doing accident investigation is
to ascertain the root cause, eliminate the root cause or apply hierarchy of
controls in the form of corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence
in future.
2-
Accident investigation points out the actual gap
in the ideal practice of managing health and safety (What went wrong). This
helps management to correct the gap and prevent accident in future.
3-
Accident investigation motivates workforce that
management is keen to prevent accident at workplace and in case when accident
investigation clear cut protocol is being followed then this motivation increases
exponentially.
4-
Accident investigation also fulfils legal
compliance which is supposed to be part of organisation management.
5-
Cost of the accident can also be calculated
following accident investigation. Both direct cost like medical cost and indirect
cost can be calculated. This type of cost calculation can be proven beneficial
while doing cost benefit analysis for any asset requirement for health and
safety.
6-
Insurance companies also use accident
investigation reports for processing insurance claims. Sometime accident
investigation reports prove vital for claim processing. In case victim found in
influence of alcohol while accident then it is probable that he is going to
miss the compensation amount from insurance company. Also suppose accident happened
due to fire and investigator found that proper fire extinguishing arrangements
were not done as promised then it is probable that organisation is going to
suffer loss of compensation money by insurance company.
7-
Accident investigation also maintains organisation
reputation as good one and ultimately proves to be an element of increased
productivity, unite and loyal workforce, safe workplace and interruption free
business.
Guidance document for Accident Investigation
HSG245
HSG245 is purely focused on investigation process. This is a
four step document and those four steps are as below:
1-
Gather the information: Gather the information
as soon as possible immediately following the accident. This includes
inspection of the accident place and this place should be undisturbed as much
as possible. This will serve two purposes, fulfill the legal aspect and other
one is availability of real facts. Review the equipment involved, note down all
information during this review. Interview all witnesses; be polite during the
whole process. Gathering information should be focused on identifying the facts
rather than finding faults.
2-
Now second step is to analyses the information
collected by first step. Try to find out the causes lead to accident. Any
investigation method suitable to determine the causes.
3-
Third step involves the risk mitigation with the
help of hierarchy of control measures.
4-
Develop an action plan with its time bounded
implementation. Long term and short term both actions should be chalked out and
care should be taken to follow cost benefit analysis. Only mention actions
which are seem to be reasonably practicable.
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