Advanced Accident Investigation and Reporting

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 vs. 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 – organisations who survived and those who failed

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 vs. Reliance on Memory
• Scene Photographs (+video) and Sketching – equipment required
• Case Studies

Root Cause Analysis

• What is the “Root Cause” and Why is it important?
• Basic vs. 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

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)

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