Accident Reports

The various activities which comprise an investigation come to focus in the accident report. The report form is much more than merely a device to inform management. It is the basic element of
managerial control over the investigative process. The form directs the investigator's actions. It asks the questions he must answer. It guides his consideration of cause factors and then leads him, and reviewing managers, to remedial actions.

First, the report must identify the elements involved and the loss. It must accurately describe the elements and conditions as a base point so the merit of later analysis can be weighed and factors bearing on management decisions can be carefully considered. This permits the investigation to have wide application over company activities. Of ten special sections of a report form can be tailored to equipment and processes used, to enhance the performance of the investigation.

A major part of accident investigation reporting is the analysis of causes. There are a number of possibilities to aid cause analysis. When activities are large and widespread, a highly structured form can help central office analysis. When loc al use is the main goal, a simple, descriptive form can be better used to control generalization and pro duce a more thoughtful cause analysis. The ideal system for most organizations lies between these extremes, with some structure to aid the investigator, supplemented by required short detail of causes determined to be factors.

Remedial actions require the development of credible alternatives and the selection of alternatives which provide the best corrective or adaptive action, as balanced by cost in resources and adverse effects on the business system. Remedial action planning consists of setting objectives, formulating alternatives, testing alternatives against the objective, selecting the best alternative and devising the controls to make the changes in programs.

Essential to a sound accident investigation program is upper management participation through the report review process. In addition to review of reports for satisfactory quality, management participation involves allocation of resources for remedial actions, and lateral applications of the knowledge gained from the accident investigation. Safety committees are of ten employed to help this process, along with report staffing.

The safety professional enters the reporting process in three ways. He designs the report forms and keeps them current for the organization. He analyzes the data for trends and implications. One of his best contributions can be through measurement of the quality of reports. In such manner, he can promote thorough investigations and quality reports which enable full control by management. Each of these is a vital aspect of professional accident investigation.