702 Effective Accident Investigation

Glossary

A

Accident. An unplanned event that results in injury, illness, or property damage.
Accident Findings. Conclusions drawn from the analysis of an accident, detailing causes and contributing factors.
Accident Investigation Questions. Questions designed to gather detailed information about the accident, including who, what, when, where, why, and how it occurred.
Accident Investigation Report. A comprehensive document detailing the findings, analysis, and recommendations following an accident investigation.
Accident Report. A formal record of the details and circumstances of an accident, typically required by regulatory bodies and used for analysis and prevention.
Accident Scene. The physical location where an accident occurred, containing evidence and clues that are critical for an investigation.
Accusatory. A type of questioning or behavior that blames or accuses someone of wrongdoing, often creating a defensive response.
Actual Events. The real actions and occurrences that took place during an incident.
Administrative Controls. Policies, procedures, and practices designed to minimize risk by managing the way work is performed.
Assumed Events. Actions or occurrences believed to have taken place, often based on incomplete or indirect evidence.

B

Backward Tracing Analysis. A method of investigating accidents by retracing events from the incident to the origin, identifying causes and contributing factors.
Bodily Reaction. Physical responses to external stimuli, often resulting in injuries such as sprains or strains.

C

Citation. A formal notice issued by a regulatory body, such as OSHA, indicating a violation of safety and health standards.
Closed Question. A type of question that typically yields a yes or no answer, limiting the scope of the response.
Common Sense. In safety management and accident investigation, the term "Good sense" is more appropriate to use. "Good sense" emphasizes practical and sound judgment based on knowledge, experience, and understanding of safety principles. "Common sense" can be vague and subjective, potentially leading to misunderstandings about what is expected in terms of safety practices. Using "good sense" highlights the importance of informed decision-making in ensuring a safe work environment.
Compliance. Adherence to safety regulations, standards, and laws set by governing bodies.
Contributing Factors. Conditions or actions that, either alone or in combination with others, increase the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Cooperation. The process of working together to the same end, essential for effective accident investigations and implementing safety measures.
Corrective Actions. Measures taken to eliminate the causes of existing nonconformities or other undesirable situations to prevent recurrence.
Corrective Maintenance. Repairing equipment and systems after a failure has occurred to restore them to operating condition.

C

De Minimis. Minor violations of safety regulations that do not have a direct impact on health or safety and usually do not result in fines.
Decision-Maker. An individual with the authority to make final decisions on matters such as implementing safety measures or corrective actions.
Direct Cause of Injury (Harmful Transfer of Energy). The immediate factor or mechanism that directly results in an injury, often involving the transfer of energy.
Discipline. The enforcement of workplace rules and policies through corrective actions or penalties to ensure compliance and prevent unsafe behaviors.
Domino Theory. A theory of accident causation that suggests accidents result from a sequence of events or factors, like falling dominoes, leading to an incident.

E

Education. The process of providing knowledge and understanding through teaching and learning activities.
Elements of a Safety Management System. Key components that contribute to the overall effectiveness of a safety management system, including policy, planning, implementation, evaluation, and management review.
Emergency Response Plan. A set of procedures for dealing with emergencies, such as fires, chemical spills, or natural disasters, to minimize harm to people and property.
Employee. An individual who works part-time or full-time under a contract of employment, whether oral or written, express or implied, and has recognized rights and duties.
Employer. A person or organization that hires people to work for wages or a salary.
Engineering Controls. Physical modifications to facilities, equipment, or processes to reduce or eliminate hazards.
Environment. The surrounding conditions in which an employee operates, including physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic factors.
Equipment. Tools or machinery used in the workplace to perform tasks.
Event Analysis. The study of events leading up to, during, and following an incident to determine causes and contributing factors.
Event Sequencing. The process of ordering events in the sequence they occurred to understand the progression and causation of an incident.
Evidence. Information and physical objects collected during an investigation to help determine the causes of an accident.
Evidence Collection. The process of gathering information, including physical evidence, witness statements, and documentation, to understand the causes and circumstances of an accident.
Exposure. The condition of being subjected to a potentially harmful physical, chemical, or biological agent.

F

Fall-To-Below Accident. An incident where a person falls to a lower level, such as from a roof to the ground, resulting in injury.
Fall-To-Surface Accident. An incident where a person falls onto the same level or surface, such as slipping and falling to the floor, causing injury.
Fact-Finding. The process of collecting factual information relevant to an investigation or inquiry.
Fatality. An incident resulting in the death of an individual.
First Aid (OSHA). OSHA defines first aid as immediate care for a minor injury or illness that does not typically require ongoing medical treatment. Examples include using bandages, antiseptics, non-prescription medications at non-prescription strength, hot or cold therapy, and removing splinters or foreign objects from the skin. First aid does not require documentation as a recordable incident.
Fishbone Diagram. A visual tool used to systematically identify and present all possible causes of a particular problem, also known as a cause-and-effect diagram.

G

Garbage-In Garbage-Out. The concept that the quality of input determines the quality of output, particularly relevant in data collection and analysis during investigations.

H

Hazard. A condition or practice with the potential to cause injury, illness, or property damage.
Hazard Control. Methods employed to eliminate or reduce the risk of hazards, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.
Hazard Identification. The process of recognizing and documenting hazards that could potentially cause harm.
Hazardous Conditions. Environmental or workplace situations that pose a risk of causing harm or injury.
Hierarchy of Controls. A system used to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards, ranked from most effective (elimination) to least effective (PPE).
Human Resources. The department within an organization responsible for managing employee relations, benefits, recruitment, training, and compliance with labor laws.

I

Incident. An occurrence, condition, or situation arising in the course of work that resulted in or could have resulted in injuries, illnesses, or damage.
Incident Report. A detailed account of an accident or near-miss, documenting the events leading up to, during, and after the incident.
Injury Analysis. The examination of injuries sustained during an accident to determine the direct cause and contributing factors.
Interim Measures. Temporary actions taken to control hazards until permanent solutions can be implemented.
Interviewing Techniques. Methods and strategies used to effectively question witnesses and gather accurate information during an investigation.
Intimidation. The act of making someone fearful or overawed, often hindering effective communication and cooperation during an investigation.
Investigation. A systematic process of examining an accident to determine its causes and to identify measures to prevent recurrence.

J

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). A systematic process used to identify, evaluate, and control hazards associated with specific job tasks. JHAs involve breaking down a job into its individual steps, assessing each step for potential hazards, and determining protective measures to reduce or eliminate risks. JHAs are often reviewed during OSHA investigations to confirm that proper hazard analysis and mitigation steps were in place prior to an incident.
Job Safety Analysis (JSA). Similar to Job Hazard Analysis, a Job Safety Analysis is a structured process where each step of a job task is assessed to identify potential hazards. In an accident investigation, OSHA may review JSAs to determine if the analysis was thorough and if workers were trained to perform tasks safely. JSA findings are often used to implement corrective actions and improve future safety practices.

K

Kinetic (Impact) Energy. The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, which can cause injury upon impact.

L

Leader. An individual who guides or directs a group towards achieving goals, often influencing safety culture and practices.
Leadership. The act of leading a group or organization, particularly in fostering a safe and compliant work environment.

M

Management. The coordination and administration of tasks to achieve a goal, particularly in ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
Manager. An individual responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff, often overseeing safety protocols and compliance.
Mechanical Energy. The energy associated with the motion and position of an object, which can cause injury if released uncontrolled.
Motion Through Time. The sequence of events and actions leading up to, during, and following an accident, used to understand the dynamics of the incident.

N

Near-Miss. An incident in which no injury or damage occurs, but which could have resulted in an accident under different circumstances.
Non-Events. Expected occurrences that did not happen, which can be critical in understanding the sequence and causation of an incident.

O

Observations. Recorded notes and comments made by investigators based on what they see and perceive during an accident investigation.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A federal agency of the United States Department of Labor that ensures safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.
Open-Ended Question. A type of question that allows for a wide range of responses, encouraging detailed and informative answers.
Overexertion. Physical strain or effort beyond one's capacity, often leading to musculoskeletal injuries.
Overexposure. Excessive exposure to harmful substances or environments, such as chemicals, noise, or radiation, leading to health issues.

P

Penalty. A punishment, often in the form of a fine, imposed for violations of safety regulations or standards.
Perception. The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted, which can influence safety attitudes and behaviors.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.
Plan. A detailed proposal or strategy to achieve specific safety goals or objectives.
Policy. A set of guidelines or rules that govern the actions and decisions within an organization to ensure safety and compliance.
Potential Energy. The energy stored in an object due to its position or state, which can be released and cause harm.
Preventive Maintenance. Regular and routine maintenance to help keep equipment running and prevent any unplanned downtime and expensive costs from unanticipated equipment failure.
Procedure. An established method of performing a task or activity, often documented to ensure consistency and safety.
Process. A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end, often documented to ensure safety and efficiency.
Program. A coordinated set of activities or initiatives aimed at achieving specific safety and health goals.

Q

Qualified Person. An individual with extensive knowledge, training, and experience in specific areas of safety and operations who is capable of identifying existing and potential hazards. In OSHA accident investigations, a qualified person may be required to assess equipment, processes, or safety procedures to identify failure points or safety gaps that contributed to the incident. The presence and qualifications of such personnel may be reviewed as part of compliance checks.
Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA). A formal process used to calculate the likelihood and impact of potential hazards in a work environment, often through numerical analysis and modeling. While QRAs are not always required by OSHA, they can provide valuable data during accident investigations by showing whether risk factors were adequately quantified and managed to prevent incidents. QRAs are particularly useful for high-risk industries and can inform safety improvements.

R

Recommendation. A suggestion or proposal put forward to improve safety or prevent future accidents.
Recordable Incident (OSHA). According to OSHA, a recordable incident is any work-related injury or illness that results in death, loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work activity, job transfer, or medical treatment beyond first aid. It also includes certain significant injuries or illnesses diagnosed by a healthcare professional, such as fractures or chronic conditions.
Reportable Incident (OSHA). Under OSHA regulations, a reportable incident includes any work-related fatality, in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. These incidents must be reported to OSHA within specific time frames: 8 hours for fatalities and 24 hours for hospitalizations, amputations, or eye losses.
Root Cause. The fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem, which, if addressed, would prevent recurrence.
Root Cause Analysis. A method of problem-solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems, focusing on why the accident occurred rather than just the immediate causes.

S

Safe Work Practices. Established procedures and guidelines designed to ensure the safety and health of employees while performing their job tasks.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A document that provides detailed information about the properties, hazards, and safe handling of a chemical substance.
Safety Measures. Actions or devices designed to prevent accidents or reduce their severity.
Securing the Scene. The act of controlling and preserving an accident site to prevent further harm, protect evidence, and facilitate an investigation.
Sequence of Events. The chronological order of actions and occurrences that led to an accident, used to analyze the progression of the incident.
Serious Injury. An injury that results in significant physical harm, such as fractures, severe cuts, or injuries requiring hospitalization.
Simultaneous Events. Multiple events occurring at the same time, which may interact or compound the effects leading to an incident.
Sketch. A drawing or diagram that represents the scene of an accident, used to provide a visual context during an investigation.
Struck-Against Accident. An incident where a person forcefully contacts a stationary object, causing injury.
Struck-By Accident. An incident where a person is hit by a moving object, leading to injury.
Substitution Controls. Replacing hazardous materials or processes with safer alternatives to reduce risk.
Supervisor. An individual who oversees the work of others, ensuring tasks are performed safely and correctly.
Surface Cause. The immediate or obvious reasons for an accident, often easily identifiable but not addressing underlying issues.
System Analysis. The study of a system's components and interactions to identify weaknesses and improve overall safety performance.
System Design Root Causes. Fundamental flaws in the design of a system that contribute to the occurrence of accidents or unsafe conditions.
System Improvement. Actions taken to enhance the performance and safety of a system, often based on analysis and recommendations from investigations.
System Performance Root Causes. Fundamental issues in how a system operates that lead to accidents or unsafe conditions.
Systems Theory of Accident Investigation. An approach that considers the complex interactions between various components of a system, such as people, equipment, and environment, in understanding and preventing accidents.

T

Training. The process of teaching or developing skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies.

U

Unsafe Behaviors. Actions by individuals that increase the risk of an accident or injury.

V

Victim. An individual who suffers injury, harm, or loss as a result of an accident.
Violation. A breach of safety regulations, standards, or policies, often resulting in disciplinary action or penalties.

W

Warning. Notifications or signals that alert individuals to potential hazards, helping to prevent accidents and injuries.
Why-You Questions. Questions that explore the reasons behind actions or decisions, often used in root cause analysis.
Witness Statement. A written or recorded account of what a witness observed or knows about an accident or incident.
Work Practice Controls. Procedures and techniques used to reduce the likelihood of exposure to hazards during work tasks.
Workstation. The physical space and setup where an employee performs their job tasks, including equipment, tools, and layout.
Workload. The amount of work assigned to or expected from an employee in a specific time period, which can impact safety and performance.

X

X-Ray Testing. A non-destructive testing (NDT) method used to detect structural flaws in equipment and materials, particularly welds, pipelines, and pressure vessels. In an OSHA accident investigation, x-ray testing may be employed to assess potential equipment failures or weaknesses that contributed to an accident. This testing helps identify underlying causes related to material integrity or manufacturing defects, supporting more effective corrective actions.

Y

Yield Strength. The maximum stress that a material can withstand without permanent deformation, which is critical for assessing equipment resilience under load. In accident investigations, OSHA may examine whether equipment and materials met the required yield strength standards, as equipment failures due to insufficient yield strength could indicate improper maintenance or incorrect specifications, contributing to the incident.

Z

Zero Incident Goal. A proactive safety initiative aiming to prevent all workplace accidents and incidents. While not directly regulated by OSHA, a zero incident goal is a benchmark many organizations set to create a strong safety culture. In OSHA investigations, the presence of a zero-incident safety policy can be reviewed as evidence of a company's commitment to continuous safety improvement and hazard mitigation. Such goals are often supported by robust safety training, hazard awareness programs, and regular audits.