It’s important to do an objective accident investigation for several reasons. We want to prevent the same thing from happening again. Everyone is curious and wants to know why it happened. Your insurance premiums could go up. You may need to pay the claim. Litigation can ensue, and you want to know the real truth.
You, the contractor, are the best one to investigate, says Frank Keres of Construction Risk Associates, Lake Bluff, IL. Keres gave a presentation on this topic at the Construction Safety Council conference last year (2014). You have more control over the situation. You have more knowledge of the people and your operations. And you have the financial interest. Your investigation is the most cost-effective. Insurance companies send adjusters, not investigators. Their job is to “adjust.”
It’s important to do an objective accident investigation for several reasons. We want to prevent the same thing from happening again. Everyone is curious and wants to know why it happened. Your insurance premiums could go up. You may need to pay the claim. Litigation can ensue, and you want to know the real truth. You, the contractor, are the best one to investigate, says Frank Keres of Construction Risk Associates, Lake Bluff, IL. Keres gave a presentation on this topic at the Construction Safety Council conference last year (2014). You have more control over the situation. You have more knowledge of the people and your operations. And you have the financial interest. Your investigation is the most cost-effective. Insurance companies send adjusters, not investigators. Their job is to “adjust.”
Most theories of root cause are two-fold: A) the event actually happened; and B) the corporate culture allowed it to happen. This article will not address the corporate culture. It clouds the investigations and is contrary to the methodology. Save it for later.
When you approach an accident investigation, it’s vital to keep an open mind. Forget what you have heard or what you might think caused the accident. Lose your preconceptions; they are misconceptions. You should brainstorm to ensure that all possible causes are included, not just those that you are sure are involved.
Do not look for fault. That is subjective and for lawyers. Don’t look for what went wrong; just look for what happened. Do not try to shift blame. The cause could very well lie within your company.
Keres says you must not take on certain roles. You are not the safety person; you are an investigator. Forget OSHA. Most accidents are not OSHA violations. You are not a lawyer, and you are not stupid. You are not afraid to open your mind.
Three “Cs” are needed for a successful investigation, says Keres. One is control. All information comes to YOU. You have the authority over the investigation and the power to tell others what to do. Secondly, cooperation with others is necessary. You will need to interact with others, such as insurance reps and lawyers. Finally, you must have good communication with those you control and cooperate.
Keres recommends that contractors put together a written policy on accident investigations. This is different from a procedure for accident reporting, which most companies have. Establish the three “Cs” for your company. Maybe you want to delegate someone to be in charge of accident investigations.
