Step 4: Conduct Event Analysis
Event Identification
So far in your investigation, you have documented the accident scene and collected a lot of factual data that's strewn all over your desk. Now your task is to turn that data into useful information that will help you understand what happened.
You're not gathering all of this information just to conduct an assessment of what was and was not present immediately prior to the accident. You're conducting an analysis of each event to determine specifically how surface causes (behaviors and conditions), and the underlying root causes (system weaknesses) contributed to the accident. With this distinction in mind, let's look at the event analysis process.
Two Components of an Event: The Actor and the Action
Each event leading up to and including the injury event consists of one actor (a person) and one action (a behavior).
- Actor: The actor is a person or object that directly influences the sequence of events. An actor may actively participate in the process or simply observe it. An actor initiates a change by performing an action or failing to perform an action.
- Action: An action is "the something" done by an actor. Actions may or may not be observable. An action can describe a behavior that is either carried out or not carried out. Failure to act should be considered an action, just as significant as an action that is accomplished.
It's essential to understand that when describing an event in writing, you should first identify the actor and then describe what the actor did. Keep in mind that the actor is the 'doer,' not the person or object being acted upon or otherwise subjected to an action.
For instance, take a look at the event statement below:
"Jessie unhooked the lifeline from the harness."
In this example, "Jessie" is the actor and "unhooked" describes the action. First, we describe the actor — Jessie. Next, we describe the action — unhooking. The lifeline and harness, although "objects" are not actors because they are not performing an action. Rather, something is being done to them. Also note that the statement is written in active tense.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-1. Which term describes the person or object that directly influences the flow or sequence of events leading to an accident?
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