Industrial accidents and on-the-job injuries begin with cause and end with effect; they are not, in any real sense, accidents. Any injury mandates investigation, correction, and forecasting to prevent recurrence.
What are the proper steps in investigation?
- Reserve judgment. Questioning employees can be tricky; assure everyone that facts are important and that the goal is to build an accurate narrative, not to assign blame.
- Begin at the scene. Inspect the physical location: are guards in place, floors even and dry, and equipment in proper working order?
- Check personal protective equipment. Was PPE available and in use, and was it appropriate for the task?
- Gather recordings. Collect any visual or audio recordings of the incident, if available.
- Interview people. Interview the injured person and co-workers who witnessed events leading up to the incident to build a timeline.
- Identify human error. Determine whether the error was in execution by the employee or in the job design or supervision by management.
- Reconstruct the event. Mentally walk through the incident using the narrative you created and ask where it could have been prevented.
- Forecast and apply lessons. Inspect similar operations or locations and fix potential problems before they cause another incident.
The investigation should produce a specific narrative describing what happened from just before cause to effect, not merely a description of the injury. It should state whether procedures were followed and whether those procedures were adequate to protect the employee.
Ask whether normal work conditions led to the injury or if unusual conditions contributed. Define unsafe elements clearly: employee behavior, management processes, workplace conditions, personal protection, time of day, shift fatigue, or any specific event or condition that played a role.
Find the primary, secondary, and tertiary causes of the incident. For example, "Employee fell and broke their wrist" does not tell the story; a fuller narrative might read: "Employee lost footing when stepping into a pothole in the parking lot and broke their wrist. The employee was carrying a load that blocked their view and the load was too heavy."
Suggested corrective actions
- Repair the parking lot to create a smooth surface.
- Train employees on safe carrying techniques.
- Require or provide hand trucks for heavy or bulky loads.
These specific recommendations help prevent future incidents by addressing the root causes: who, what, why, when, where, and how. After an investigation, apply the findings across similar operations to reduce risk company-wide.
For guidance on reporting and related coverage topics, see Accident investigation, auto-accident response & workers' compensation. Consider whether additional protection is appropriate for affected employees, such as Accident and Sickness (Disability) Insurance.
If you need help interpreting coverage or filing a claim, you can talk to an agent for specific guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should an accident investigation begin?
Investigations should begin as soon as the scene is safe and basic care is provided, ideally within hours to preserve evidence and accurate witness accounts.
Who should conduct the investigation?
A trained supervisor or safety professional should lead the investigation, with witnesses and relevant staff interviewed to build a complete narrative.
Should employees be disciplined after an incident?
Discipline should be based on the investigation findings; the priority is correcting hazards and improving systems rather than immediately assigning blame.
How detailed should the final report be?
The report should document the sequence of events, causes at multiple levels, corrective actions taken, and recommendations to prevent recurrence.