Conduct preliminary investigations into health, safety and environmental incident

Purpose:

This Course requires learners to have an understanding of how to conduct preliminary investigations into health, safety and environmental incident

Some type of accident investigation is a part of almost every safety program. Yet, the purpose of doing investigations is often poorly understood. As a result, they can degenerate into finger-pointing, blame-fixing, and fault-finding exercises, which seldom determine the real reasons for what happened or arrive at any effective solutions to the problems involved. Even when the purpose is properly defined, investigations are often poorly done. Perhaps the greatest reason for this is not to understand the many real values to be gained.

Effective investigations can:

• Describe what happened. Thorough investigations can sift through some conflicting evidence and arrive at an accurate statement of what happened.
• Determine the real causes. The sad fact is that many investigations are so superficial as to be useless. Because real causes are not identified, there is little or no return on the investment of the time spent doing them.
• Decide the risks. Good investigations provide the basis for deciding the likelihood of recurrence and the potential for major loss – two critical factors in determining the amount of time and money to spend on corrective action.
• Develop controls. Adequate controls to minimize or eliminate a problem can only come from a sound investigation, which has truly solved the problem. Otherwise, the problem will appear again and again but with different symptoms. Define trend. Few accidents and incidents are truly isolated events. When a significant number of good reports are analysed, emerging trends can be identified and dealt with.
• Demonstrate concern. Accidents give people vivid pictures of threats to their well-being. It is reassuring to see a prompt, objective investigation in progress. Good investigations aid employee relations.
• Define trend. Few accidents and incidents are truly isolated events. When a significant number of good reports are analysed, emerging trends can be identified and dealt with.
• Demonstrate concern. Accidents give people vivid pictures of threats to their well-being. It is reassuring to see a prompt, objective investigation in progress. Good investigations aid employee relations.

Steps:

1. Complete the Formative Assessment
2. Watch the Video Lesson
3. Complete the Summative Assessment