Accident Investigation Procedure
Accident investigation can pinpoint problem areas and faulty equipment. This can help companies correct problems and help prevent repeat occurrences. It can also help identify faulty claims.
There are eight steps to investigating an accident or injury:
- Interview the employee regarding the injury. Details are important and the employee may provide more information to you than to the insurance company. Have the employee fill out and sign an Injured Employee’s Report form (PDF download).
- Secure any faulty equipment or photograph any unsafe condition on the premises. This may be important evidence in a third-party subrogation action.
- Examine the accident scene and compare the condition to the employee’s version (ex: water of floor, weight of object being lifted, etc.)
- Interview witness using the Witness Incident Report form (PDF download). Remember, what a witness doesn’t see is sometimes as important as what they do see.
- Take corrective action.
- Place a copy of the investigation in the employee’s personnel file.
- Provide your findings to your claims team.
- Use the accident as a learning tool. Discuss it at safety meetings and focus on prevention.
