Advanced Accident Investigation & Reporting

In spite of all our best efforts, accidents and incidents occasionally occur. These unplanned or undesired events can adversely affect a company’s work operations and may include work-related injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, spills and fires. Critically all incidents should therefore be thoroughly investigated demonstrating a proven company-wide process of efficiency and effectiveness linked to the Safety Management System (SMS). The more serious the incident the more extensive the investigation.

However, even a minor incident or near-miss incident also requires a thorough investigation as this may reveal significant potential for a serious future incident should the conditions be left uncorrected. While incidents seem to happen for obvious reasons, there may be things that contribute to an accident which are not always immediately apparent. Attendance on this training seminar will provide you with the confidence and necessary professionalism to enable a thorough Accident Investigation as soon as practicable after the event.

This training seminar will highlight:

• Why and who conducts an investigation?
• Investigation methodology, the essential six-step process
• Characteristics of an effective incident/accident analysis program
• The two major components that contribute to the cause of an incident
• Why investigations must be constructive, professional, credible and timely
• Safety Management Systems on promoting a pro-active Safety Culture

Course Objectives

By the end of the course the attendees will be able to:

• Develop the knowledge and skills required to investigate all adverse events
• Understand the causes of accidents and ill-health
• Understand the elements that combine to form an accident
• Develop confidence & professionalism in investigating, interviewing & reporting
• Ensure all employees & contractors are aware of the SMS and ‘Safety Culture’
• Apply the legal requirements and company procedures

Who Should Attend?

This training seminar is suitable for those officers who may become involved in these investigation as well as Managers wishing to have a deeper knowledge of this process and crucially how it affects the interpretation of the law, regulations and company procedures. This course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• HSE Officers
• Supervisors
• Inspectors
• Advisors
• Auditors
• Team Leaders/Managers

Course Outline

Day 1: Incident and Accident Theories

• Incident & Accident Analysis Overview, exploring Accident Theory
• Identify accident and incident causation factors
• What are the necessary conditions for an accident to happen?
• Unsafe Acts V. Unsafe Conditions: Avoiding the “Blame Game”
• Role of the HSE Team Leader and a trained and prepared workforce during an Investigation
• Links between Risk Assessment and Incident Investigation
• Factors that contribute towards establishing a good safety culture?
• Case Studies – organizations who survived and those who failed

DAY 2: Investigation Methodology

• Six-step accident investigation process
• Scene Protection and Examination - Who should be involved at this stage
• Listen and Learn, and Learn to Look and Listen More
• The importance of Note Taking v. reliance on memory
• Scene Photographs (+video) and Sketching – equipment required
• Case Studies

DAY 3: Root Cause Analysis

• What is the “Root Cause” and why is it important
• Basic v. Root Cause: Getting from “effect” to “cause”
• What questions to ask to confirm “Root Cause”
• From Root Cause to Prevention
• Consider the Human Error issues
• Help to establish and maintain regulatory due diligence
• The role of policies, equipment and training on accident prevention
• Case Studies

DAY 4: Interviewing Techniques, Facts, Evidence & Witness Statements

• Purpose and preparation for the Interview
• Who conducts the interview
• Where to conduct an interview
• Building Rapport with the witness
• Obtaining Witness Statements
• Forms and Format
• Inculpatory and Exculpatory statements
• Group Exercise (Obtaining Statements)

DAY 5: Report Writing & Practical Exercises

• Forms, format and structure
• Effective Writing Skills – simple, self-explanatory and straightforward
• Writing the Report – the aim is to persuade and seek action
• Help to prevent recurrence – cost savings (human and financial)
• Class exercise - Accident Investigation based on case study
• Class exercise - Produce the outline of a suitable report from the above

Course Methodology

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

• (30%) Based on Case Studies
• (30%) Techniques
• (30%) Role Play
• (10%) Concepts
• Pre-test and Post-test
• Variety of Learning Methods
• Lectures
• Case Studies and Self Questionaires
• Group Work
• Discussion
• Presentation

Course Fees

This rate includes participant’s manual, Hand-Outs, buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day.

Course Timings

Daily Course Timings
08:00 - 08:20 Morning Coffee / Tea
08:20 - 10:00 First Session
10:00 - 10:20 Coffee / Tea / Snacks
10:20 - 12:20 Second Session
12:20 - 13:30 Lunch Break & Prayer Break
13:30 - 15:00 Last Session