Cause Analysis
Review Documents
There are many tools for SMS cause analysis. For example, reviewing documents, making observations, interviewing employees, and conducting walkaround inspections are all important methods that can provide valuable data for analysis.
Safety Leadership
Every worksite should analyze at least the following documentation: previous incident/accident reports, training documents, and the OSHA 300 Log of injuries and illnesses.
It is beneficial for companies of all sizes to analyze written plans, policies, processes, procedures, practices, and rules for all programs within their Safety Management System (SMS). Comparing these written programs with the actual performance records is essential to determine their effectiveness. However, analyzing disciplinary records should be avoided unless there is a valid reason and proper permission has been granted.
-
Recordkeeping
- Injury and Illness Records: These records provide detailed accounts of past incidents, allowing for trend analysis to identify recurring hazards or patterns that contributed to the recent accident. Reviewing OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 can help pinpoint common factors across different incidents.
- Electronic Reporting: Electronic reporting facilitates easy access to injury and illness data, enabling quick analysis. This can be particularly useful for large organizations with extensive records.
-
Training
- General Training Requirements: Reviewing training records helps determine whether employees involved in the accident were adequately trained on relevant safety procedures and hazards. Analyzing the frequency and documentation of training sessions ensures that training is up-to-date and covers all necessary safety topics. Specialized training records can be reviewed to confirm compliance with OSHA standards relevant to the tasks or environments involved in the accident.
-
Medical Documentation
- Medical Records: These records can be reviewed to understand the extent of injuries and any medical conditions that may have contributed to the accident. Maintaining confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is protected, while still allowing access to necessary data for analysis.
-
Incident/Accident Investigation
- Investigation Process: Detailed documentation of previous near-miss and injury accident investigations helps identify the root causes and contributing factors. Investigation reports provide a structured overview of the incident, including witness statements and analysis of contributing factors. These reports form the basis for developing strategies to prevent recurrence.
-
Safety Inspections
- Regular Inspections: Reviewing past safety inspection records can reveal whether hazards identified in inspections were adequately addressed before the accident. Ensures that safety inspections are effective and that identified issues are resolved promptly. Documentation of safety inspections should include the date, the areas inspected, the hazards identified, and the measures taken to mitigate these hazards.
-
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
- Hazard Identification: Reviewing JHAs helps identify whether the hazards associated with the job tasks involved in the accident were previously recognized and mitigated. Detailed JHA documentation can be compared with the actual conditions at the time of the accident to identify discrepancies. This ensures that safety measures identified in JHAs are implemented and followed correctly.
Using these documents, employers can conduct a more thorough analysis of their SMS post-accident, identify shortcomings, and implement effective measures to enhance workplace safety.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-1. In which program(s) should written plans, policies, processes, procedures, practices, and rules be analyzed after an accident occurs?
You forgot to answer the question!