Accident Investigation
Incident Analysis
An incident analysis is an important tool to determine possible causes of the incident in order to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident or injury.
The information on First Report of Injury form is used to track incident trends, to determine if equipment or facilities need repairs, and identify the safety training need for university employees.
Step 1: Notification
Employee:
- Notify your supervisor immediately if incident or near-miss incident occurred.
Supervisor:
- Fill-in and submit First Report of Injury during 24 hour period.
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Step 2: Response
Supervisor:
- Ensure medical treatment for injured employee.
- Provide transportation for injured employee if needed.
- Eliminate obvious hazard.
- Determine if area needs to be secured (unsafe conditions exist or critical evidence needs to be preserved)
Step 3: Fact-Finding
Supervisor and REM Representative:
- Use simple approaches – Who, What, Where, When, How, Why?
- Keep probing for more information – “What else can you tell me that might have been a factor?”
- Don’t jump to conclusion and recommendations too quickly
Step 4: Analysis
Supervisor and REM Representative:
Analyze root cause(s) of the incident
| Methods | Environment | Equipment/Tools | Management Systems | Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Procedures | Appropriate Location | Proper Equipment | Hazard Analysis to Detect and Correct | Selection and Placement |
| Shortcuts | Lighting | Safe Design | Methods of supervision (Identify and reinforce safe behaviors; Identify and eliminate at risk behaviors) | Knowledge and Skills |
| Common Practices (Actual way that people do the job) | Floor Conditions | Used as Designed | Training | Physical and Emotional Condition |
| Distractions | Contaminants | Working Properly | Systems for Inspection and Maintenance | Communications |
| Unusual Conditions or Requirements | Chemicals | Inspected | Appropriate PPE | |
| Ventilation | Maintained | |
Step 5: Corrective Actions
Supervisor and REM Representative:
- Identify and address all root causes of incident.
- Identify those persons who are responsible for corrective/preventative actions.
- Set corrective/preventative action target dates.
Step 6: Follow-Up
Supervisor and REM Representative:
- Follow up to ensure that corrective/preventative actions are completed and effective.
- Document incident analysis results.
- Share results with similar operations within the university
Early Reporting of Signs and Symptoms
It is important to recognize and report early signs and symptoms of work-related injuries and illnesses.Many work-related injuries and illnesses occur due to repetitive motions over a prolonged period of time. Such injuries are called work-related musculoskeletal injuries and can be prevented in the early stages. Whether it is entering data into a computer, using hand tools, or scrubbing floors if an employee is using repetitive motion over a prolonged period of time it is possible they may develop a work-related musculoskeletal illness.
If you experience pain and discomfort and believe that this is work-related, please fill out a self-assessment survey and contact REM. A REM Occupational Safety Specialist will schedule a visit to your workstation to:
- Evaluate your workplace
- Suggest proper ergonomic adjustments to your existing equipment
- Consult on ergonomically correct work techniques
- Recommend occupational medical evaluation or treatment if it is needed.
Self-Assessment Surveys:
- Male: General Self-Assessment Survey
- Female: General Self- Assessment Survey
- Right Hand: General Self-Assessment Survey
- Left Hand: General Self-Assessment Survey
- Office Ergonomics Questionnaire Form
Contact Information:
Kristi Evans - Purdue University Preventative Injury Program
Campus Safety Contacts
If you see something, say something.
Purdue Police
Phone: (765) 494-8221
Purdue Fire
Phone: (765) 494-6919
Sign up for Emergency Text Messages
Carol Shelby, Senior Director
Phone:(765) 494-7504
Email:
cshelby@purdue.edu
