We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

702 Effective Accident Investigation
Skip to main content

Step 5: Conduct Cause Analysis

Introduction

You've completed the initial part of the accident analysis by gathering information and using it to break the accident down into an accurate sequence of events.

Do Accidents Just Happen?

You have a good mental picture of what happened. Now it's time to continue the analysis process by completing each of the following three phases of analysis to determine what caused those events.

This module will introduce us to the three phases of analysis below:

  • Injury Analysis to determine the direct causes of injury
  • Surface Cause Analysis to determine the unique conditions, behaviors, and actions causing the accident
  • Root Cause Analysis to determine the system weaknesses contributing to the accident

Check out the short podcast video by Dan Clark. Folklore that 'accidents happen' has been proven wrong. But are people naturally accident prone? In this podcast, Dan Clark delves into these topics.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-1. Which type of analysis determines the surface causes of an accident?