Safety Procedure Accident/Incident Investigation: Effective Date: March 1, 2007 Updated: July 2012
Safety Procedure Accident/Incident Investigation: Effective Date: March 1, 2007 Updated: July 2012
Safety Procedure Accident/Incident Investigation: Effective Date: March 1, 2007 Updated: July 2012
ACCIDENT/INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to identify the duties, roles and responsibilities of
workplace parties so that an effective and immediate accident/incident investigation
and reporting process is in place. This will include identifying all contributing factors of
the accident/incidents and hazardous situations and making the necessary
recommendations to prevent the accident/incident from recurring.
2. SCOPE
o First Aid
o Health Care
o Near Miss
Definitions
3. COMMUNICATION
The results and corrective action taken for the accident/incidents will be
communicated to the employees in a number of ways:
Minutes of the health and safety committee meetings
Postings on the safety bulletin boards
Follow up on Action Plan completed by the supervisor/leader to affected
individuals
External
Ministry of Labour (MoL) - must be notified immediately by phone, of any
fatalities or critical injuries, with this to be followed by a written investigation
report within 48 hours.
Ministry of Labour (MoL) - Fire and Explosion – immediately if it results in an
injury.
Ministry of Environment (MoE) – Chemical releases – immediately.
Federal - Dangerous goods (spills) – Immediately
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) – within 3 days or upon first
becoming aware of, any accident that causes injury which results in Health Care
or Lost Time
2
Internal
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Wellness Information Coordinator, Rehabilitation Services - when an accident
causes injury that results in Health Care or Lost Time. An Employees Report of
Accidental Injury or Industrial Disease (FORM 7) must/will be sent to the
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) within 3 days of the accident or
upon first becoming aware by the Wellness Information Coordinator
Corporate Insurance Administrator, Human Resources – property, vehicle and/or
equipment damage
o Interviewing
i) Interview employee(s) involved
ii) Interview any eyewitnesses
iii) Interview outside experts if applicable i.e. suppliers, equipment
designers
iv) Interviews must be documented
v) Interviews should be conducted as soon as possible
vi) Interviews should be conducted one-on-one in a quiet place
3
o Write the report
Please note that when a department fails to report the accident/incident within
the required time, any fines levied by the WSIB will be charged to that
department.
4
Assists or works in cooperation with OHS and/or the local health and safety
committee and/or the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee as
needed to correct or address identified matters of health and safety within his/her
department.
Employee Responsibilities
Immediately reports to supervisor any work related injury/illness. This includes
accidents such as cuts, puncture wounds, needle stick injuries, sprains and
burns as well as those that are of a gradual onset (chronic) i.e. back pain,
repetitive strain.
Immediately reports to supervisor any "near miss" events and/or unsafe work
situations and provide necessary details to the supervisor.
If an employee has to leave the workplace due to a work related injury or illness,
he/she is advised to go first to Workplace Health Services during normal working
5
hours (8:30 am - 4:00 pm). Alternate medical attention should be sought outside
these hours.
In the case of an emergency, the employee or person providing assistance must
contact the supervisor as soon as possible following the treatment of the injury.
If an employee has restrictions in performing regular job duties and requires
workplace accommodation, he/she must provide the Rehabilitation Coordinator in
Rehabilitation Services with documentation indicating the nature and duration of
the restrictions. Further documentation may be requested by the Rehabilitation
Coordinator upon written consent of the employee.
Rehabilitation Services
Reviews the Accident/Incident Investigation Report(s) for the purpose of
determining the need for rehabilitation and/or accommodation assessment.
Consults with Workplace Health Services and other Health Care
Professionals to review medical reports and refers employee for clinical
assistance.
Refers corrective actions and follow up to the Health and Safety Consultants.
Completes and forwards necessary documentation and any other supporting
correspondence to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within 3
working days of being notified of a work-related accident/illness.
5. TRAINING
As part of their health and safety accountabilities, all supervisors must complete
the mandatory Faculty/Supervisor Responsibilities Course where they are
trained on how to properly conduct these investigations. This training must be
completed upon being hired or after a promotion into a supervisory position.
The supervisor may involve others and is encouraged to seek advice on
corrective measures and other input as needed from Occupational Health &
Safety (OHS) and/or Rehabilitation Services and/or Workplace Health Services.
These areas have personnel with extensive training and/or licensed
professionals in health and safety, ergonomics and physical health/medicine.
6. EVALUATION