Accident or Incident Investigation

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be investigated, This checklist is a useful tool to aid investigations.

Checklist for accident or incident Investigations

Investigate safety events using the standard checklist detailed below.

Note: In the table below, the term ‘event’ will be used to indicate ‘accident, incident or near miss’.

Personal

  • What level of job training had been provided?
  • How was competency assessed?
  • What did the risk assessment identify in regard to areas of special need?
  • What other factors may have impacted on work performance?

Management

  • Who was supervising the task?
  • What steps had the supervisor taken to ensure the task would be safely performed?
  • What instructions had the supervisor given to those involved?
  • What training had the supervisor received in giving out instructions to safely perform the task?

The safe work practice

  • Was was a safe work method statement written for this task?
  • What information does it include?
  • What information is missing from it?
  • What evidence is available that the person(s) involved had been trained in the procedure?
  • How was it being complied with?
  • What personal protective equipment was available?
  • How was it used?
  • How often is a risk assessment conducted on this task?

Plant, equipment and substances

  • What was the plant, equipment and other items or substances being used to produce?
  • How were they being operated?
  • How were plant and equipment failures dealt with?
  • What type of exposure(s) were involved? (e.g chemical, thermal, radiation, biological etc.)?
  • When was the last time plant, equipment or other substances had a risk assessment?
  • What controls were identified in this assessment?
  • How often was equipment and plant maintained?

The workplace itself

What affect did the following have on the event?

  • Noise
  • Lighting
  • Vibration
  • Housekeeping
  • Workplace layout and design
  • Dust and fumes
  • Flooring