Here is what I mean using the same accident of the two gentlemen in the car. Ask yourself the following: Have you prevented the accident, or are you just waiting for the next one?
[WITNESS STATEMENT ANALYSIS](http://www.iprr.org/tutorials/Witness_Tutorial/TS1.html)
[REPORT QUALITY ASSURANCE TUTORIAL](http://www.iprr.org/tutorials/QMA_tutorial/TR1.html)
[Crime Scene Investigator Network](http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/)
[Click here to visit the site home](http://gov.sk.ca)
[Click here to visit the site home](http://gov.sk.ca)
Why do we investigate workplace accidents?
- Prevention - so it doesn't happen again!
- Morale - serious accidents degrade morale.
- Business - things that hurt people also affect quality and production.
- Legal - like it or not, the law says certain situations must be investigated.
- Public Relations - the media/community/shareholders have a right to know.
Why is it important to protect the scene of a serious accident?
So our investigation is not hampered, and the true facts of the causes of the accident can be discovered. The final resting position of debris and people may tell us a lot about what happened. If evidence is moved, we may come to an incorrect conclusion about the causes of the accident. We end up fixing the wrong thing, and it will be only a matter of time before another, perhaps more serious accident happens.
How might you protect an accident scene from being disturbed?
- Respond promptly and take charge of the scene.
- Control access by posting guards (employees).
- Use barricade tape or close and lock doors.
- Cover evidence with tarps or plywood.
- Take photos and draw sketches.
Such as the car accident noted on this website
How do I tell if seat belts were in use?
In low-speed collisions, you will not find conclusive evidence of use or non-use. The following may be indicators of whether or not belts were in use:
Belts cut, as the result of extrication by rescue personnel, is the best sign of use. Ejection from the vehicle is a strong indication of non-use. Belts stuffed down in the seat or obviously extended too large or small for the usual occupant indicate non-use.
Bloodstains, dirt, or glass fragments on the belt indicate use, as they would not be present had the belt been coiled up.
Steering wheel deformation is unlikely if the driver is restrained. Bruising from the belt can be a positive sign of belt use, but the absence of bruising is not a definite sign of non-use.
Collisions over 20 km/h will leave a belt feeling stiff as the webbing has been stretched. Use latex gloves and compare the feel to other belts, as these will feel more pliable.
Seat belts under load and playing out over the shoulder guide generate heat from the friction. This heat results in the belt picking up fibers from clothing or even skin of occupants, and in some cases melted plastic from the guide itself.
Changes in the pattern of the weave of the belt or burst threads from tension at attachment points may be a sign of loading and can be observed with the use of a magnifying glass. The latch hole of the buckle may appear distorted or gouged as a result of heavy loading. Floor mounting plates may be deformed.
Signs of occupant impact with the vehicle interior in line with the angle of the collision indicate non-use; however, in high-speed collisions, a buckled occupant's chest may still move forward 12 inches.
So what are these irregularities? They are simply facts or findings that, because of their unusual nature, seem to jump out in front of us as we do our investigations. In a significant investigation, we are likely to find a dozen or so of them.
Here are a few examples:
- The Safe Work Procedure was not signed off by management as were other procedures.
- The injured worker was using fall arrest equipment; however, he had no formal training in its use.
- The workers involved had signed but not read the orientation documentation.
- Duct tape was being used to create a seal around the face mask.
- There was confusion amongst supervisors as to what types of respirators were required.
- The Lockout listing was not completed prior to the incident, but rather was done after the fact.
Typically, we would incorporate these findings in our report in areas where they seem most appropriate. The problem being the importance or relevance of them to readers may be lost as any one of these irregularities by themselves may not seem all that significant.
Listing them together early in the report tends to get the “wow!” response from readers. Their interest has been piqued, and the question they have in their minds is, “how are we going to fix this?” and of course you have the answer for them in your corrective actions.
An even more powerful method of corrective action development is to simply present these irregularities along with other facts and let those involved determine the course of action. When you see irregularities listed as a group, the action required becomes self-evident.
Motor Vehicle Collision Checklist
1. The date, time, and exact location of the accident.
2. Complete identification of all vehicles involved in the accident, i.e. vehicle identification number, license plate number, model, year, and color.
3. Identity of driver(s) and owner(s), including name, age, addresses (home and work), and telephone numbers.
4. Driver's license data on all drivers and driving experience both generally and in the type of vehicle being driven, including the jurisdiction which licensed the driver(s) and any previous loss of driving privileges and driving-related convictions (e.g., reckless driving, drunk driving, driving without insurance.)
5. Complete identification of the insurers of all drivers and owners of vehicles involved (to include policy numbers, name, address of insurance company, agent, and phone number of agent).
6. Complete identification and addresses of all passengers in vehicles involved.
7. Conduct of the passengers and the effect, if any, upon the driver.
8. Any knowledge of driver impairment known to any passenger before entering the vehicle, including sobriety, fatigue, exhaustion, and the effect of their physical condition on the accident.
9. A finding identifying whether safety devices were installed and whether they were being used at the time of the accident.
10. Complete identification and mailing addresses of all witnesses to the accident and whether or not a statement was requested and obtained from each of them.
11. Description of the road, and road conditions (e.g., holes, obstructions, smooth pavement, gravel, etc.)
12. Complete description of traffic conditions, the prevailing light and weather conditions and their effect on the accident.
13. A COMPLETE description of the driver and the vehicle immediately prior to the accident, including the following:
a. The number of lanes in each direction of travel;
b. The direction of travel of each vehicle and its position in relation to the point where the accident occurred;
c. Identification of the traffic lane each vehicle was traveling in;
d. The speed of each vehicle and posted speed limit;
e. A statement concerning each driver's actions at the time the danger was recognized. If the danger was not recognized by the driver, then so state;
f. A statement concerning each driver's ability to control his vehicle (if known);
g. A description of the results of the driver's actions;
h. The speed of vehicles just prior to impact; and
i. The speed of the vehicles at impact.
14. COMPLETE description of why, how, and where the impact occurred on the vehicle(s).
15. If ascertainable, a description of the mechanical condition of the vehicle(s) prior to the accident.
16. A statement as to whether the accident was investigated by police or other authorities.
17. COMPLETE description of all damage to vehicles and property.
18. A statement concerning estimated costs of repair for all vehicles, if available.
19. A finding as to whether damage was caused by a violation of any orders or instructions regarding the use of the vehicles.
20. A finding as to whether the driver was on work-related business, a detailed explanation of the nature of business, who dispatched the vehicle, any briefing given to the driver, departure time, place, and destination.
21. Statement of replacement cost of other damaged property.
22. A finding concerning the disposition or repair to vehicles.
23. A finding as to whether any person involved violated any provincial statute, local ordinance, or company regulation, and if so, how.
24. In addition to the above requirements, the investigator must ensure that a complete description of the circumstances surrounding the incident is provided.
8D is a problem-solving methodology for product and process improvement. It is structured into eight disciplines, emphasizing team synergy. The team as a whole is better and smarter than the quality sum of the individuals. Each discipline is supported by a checklist of assessment questions, such as "what is wrong with what", "what, when, where, how much".
The Eight Disciplines
1. Use Team Approach: Establish a small group of people with the knowledge, time, authority, and skill to solve the problem and implement corrective actions. The group must select a team leader.
2. Describe the Problem: Describe the problem in measurable terms. Specify the internal or external customer problem by describing it in specific terms.
3. Implement and Verify Short-Term Corrective Actions: Define and implement those intermediate actions that will protect the customer from the problem until permanent corrective action is implemented. Verify with data the effectiveness of these actions.
4. Define and Verify Root Causes: Identify all potential causes which could explain why the problem occurred. Test each potential cause against the problem description and data. Identify alternative corrective actions to eliminate the root cause.
5. Verify Corrective Actions: Confirm that the selected corrective actions will resolve the problem for the customer and will not cause undesirable side effects.