Chapter Eight – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
TRUE OR FALSE: Place T or F in the space provided.
_____1. The primary purpose of accident investigation is to prevent future
accidents.
_____2. An accident-analysis report is completed when the accident in
question is serious.
_____3. The accident site should be isolated until all pertinent evidence has
been collected or observed and recorded.
_____4. Primary witnesses are witnesses who did not actually see the
accident happen, but were in the vicinity.
_____5. Accident investigation information being sought can be summarized
as who, what, when, where, why, and how.
_____6. The &rst thing to do when an accident takes place is to begin the
accident investigation.
_____7. Interviews should begin as soon as the witness list has been compiled
and should be done at the accident site.
_____8. A record of all evidence is the &nal step in accident investigation.
_____9. Accident reporting forms should meet the recordkeeping
speci&cations of OSHA Form 101.
_____10. One reason some people don’t report accidents is to avoid
paperwork.
_____11. An event must result in an injury to be classi&ed as an accident.
_____12. Safety personnel may simply ignore near-miss events.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Circle the letter before the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is the primary reason for accident investigation?
A. Prevent future accidents
B. Find fault
C. Disciplinary action
D. Identify a scapegoat
2. What is the purpose of an accident investigation?
A. To identify who could be blamed
B. To collect facts
C. To &nd fault
D. All of the above
3. Select the correct sequence of steps in the accident investigation:
A. Identify witnesses, isolate the accident site, record all evidence,
interview witnesses
B. Photograph or videotape the scene, identify witnesses, interview
witnesses, record all evidence, isolate the accident site
C. Isolate the accident site, record all evidence, photograph or
videotape the scene, identify witnesses, interview witnesses
D. None of the above
4. Questions to ask when interviewing witnesses include:
A. How and why
B. Where and when
C. What and who
D. All the above
5. Injuries/illnesses must be recorded if they result in which of the following?
A. Death
B. One or more lost workdays
C. Restriction of motion or work
D. All of the above
6. Which of the following terms may be used in place of the term “near
miss”?
A. Accident
B. Hazard prevention breakdown
C. Incident
D. Safety failure
7. Which of the following is a recommended next step after completing an
accident investigation?
A. Discipline all employees involved in the accident
B. Suspend the supervisor of those involved in the accident
C. Call the OSHA Hotline to report the incident
D. Write the accident report.
12. F
7. D
1. Explain the rationale for investigating accidents.
2. When should an investigation be reported? Why?
3. Explain the diAerence between an accident report and an accident-
analysis report.
4. List the categories of the most common causes of accidents.
5. What are the terms that should guide the conduct of an accident
investigation?
6. What role should the safety and health professional play in the conduct of
an accident investigation?
7. List and explain the steps for conducting an accident investigation.
Isolate the Accident Scene – The entire area surrounding such a
scene is blocked oA by barriers or heavy yellow tape.
Record All Evidence – It is important to make a permanent record of
all pertinent evidence as quickly as possible.
Photograph and/or Videotape the Scene – Modern photographic
and videotaping technology has simpli&ed the task of observing and
recording evidence.
Identify Witnesses – In identifying witnesses it is important to
compile a witness list. Names should be recorded in three categories: a)
primary witnesses, b) secondary witnesses, and c) tertiary witnesses.
8. Why is it important to record all pertinent evidence relating to an accident
immediately after an accident has occurred?
9. What can you do when taking close-up photographs to put them in proper
perspective?
10. List and diAerentiate among the three categories of witnesses to an
accident.
11. BrieGy explain the when and where of interviewing witnesses.
12. BrieGy explain the how of interviewing witnesses.
13. What is the purpose of an accident report?