In the event of an accident you should be prepared. You should have an accident investigation kit which has barrier tape to block off the scene to preserve the evidence, a digital camera to take pictures or a sketch pad to sketch out the scene and the angles and things like that. You should also have a modified work program in place with physical demands analysis for each position so the injured worker can be put back to work on a job that does not strain his/her abilities after an incident if they can go to work. 

  • The first thing you should do in the event of an accident is preserve the scene. Obviously you have to tend to the injuries of the injured person and ensure no further danger to them or no property damage. Of course, remembering the most important thing is before you go into an accident scene you make sure you don’t become a statistic as well. So if somebody is near a downed power line you are very careful to make sure that the power is off so you don’t get electrocuted as well.  
  • You want to preserve the scene and you can close a room off or use barrier tape to block off the accident scene.
  • You want to measure angles and make sure that you go back chronologically from the start of the accident so you know the sequence of events. So you have to interview witnesses as well that can collaborate what is going on.
  • Take pictures. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
  • As I mentioned, interview the victim if able and stay in touch if they are in the hospital.
  • Notify the families, obviously, and notify higher up management if the accident is severe or even if it isn’t severe they should be aware of any incident where people are hurt or a lot of property damage has occurred.
  • You want to make sure that you determine the root cause of the incident, the underlying causes that contributed. Accidents are multi-causational in nature and often when you investigate them it is like peeling an onion. It can make you cry and you discover things that you will be amazed at what went wrong and how it went wrong and how it all came together where the person was at the right place at the wrong time.
  • You want to determine corrective measures which when applied will prevent similar incidents from happening again. Now, there is a situation that you can do beforehand where you have client/solicitor privilege with regards to incident reports so that you only release what you need to release to the OH&S officer. I can talk more on that in another segment. 

Regardless, you want to be prepared. Make sure that you preserve the scene of the evidence. Make sure that you stay in touch with the injured worker because studies have shown the longer the worker is off work the harder it is for them to integrate back into the workplace and it is great and they feel great if you stay in touch and have modified work available if necessary. In these measures by taking simple steps you will do a bang up job on ensuring that your accidents and incidents are managed safely and proactively.