Key Terms and Concepts

Accident-analysis report is defined as a report that is completed when the accident in questions is serious. This analysis report requires special skills and should be undertaken only by an individual with those skills.
The term also means at any of the following circumstances result from the accident in question: death, loss of consciousness, professional medical, etc. (Goetsch, p.166).

Accident investigation is defined as an investigation its purpose is to collect facts not to find fault.
The term also means a determination of all the events that led to an accident including understanding causal relationships between events (Goetsch, p.166).

Accident report is defined as a report that’s completed when the accident in question represents only a minor incident.
The term also means to record the findings of an accident investigation, the cause or causes of an accident, and recommendations for corrective action (Goetsch, p.165).

Accident scene is defined as an area where the accident happened that is usually blocked off by barriers or heavy yellow tape. The term also means the area where an accident occurred (Goetsch, p.169).

Causes is defined as the primary focus. Personal beliefs and feelings, decision to work unsafely, mismatch or overload are some common causes of accidents.
The term also means a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result (Goetsch, p.166).

Decision to work unsafely is defined as some people feel it is in their best interests or to their benefit to work unsafely though they make a conscious decision to do so.
The term also means workers choosing not to follow work safety hazards (Goetsch, p.167).

Emergency procedures is defined as it’s the first thing to do when an accident takes place. The procedure involves bringing the situation under control and caring for the injured worker.
The term also means a plan of actions to be conducted in a certain order or manner, in response to an emergency event (Goetsch, p.166).

Evidence is defined as something that can be perishable or a critical piece of equipment or critical component.
The term also means the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid (Goetsch, p.166).

Eye witness is defined as a person who saw and can give evidence of the occurrence of an accident.
This term also means a person who actually sees some act, occurrence, or thing and can give a firsthand account of it (Goestch, p.173).

Fault finding is defined as can cause reticence among witnesses who have valuable information to share.
The term also means the act of pointing out faults, especially faults of a petty nature (Goetsch, p.166).

How is defined as its not mistakes or breaches of precautionary procedures by workers go unnoted. It’s recorded as facts instead of faults.
The term also means used to ask about the condition or quality of something (Goetsch, p. 166).

Identify witnesses is defined as it is important to compile a witness list. Recorded in three categories which are primary, secondary, and tertiary witnesses when compiling a witness list.
The term also means who has actually seen an event and can so testify in court (Goetsch, p.170).

Immediacy is defined as an important factor. Interviews should begin as soon as the witness list has been compiled and, once begun, should proceed expeditiously.
The term also means the quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement (Goetsch, p.171).

Mismatch or overload: Individual is in poor physical condition; individual is fatigued or distracted are some of the things that could be a mismatch or overload.
The term also means causes in this category include the following: individual is in poor physical condition; individual is fatigued; individual has a high stress level (Goetsch, p.167-168).

Open-ended is defined as a format as ask questions that will get at the information.
The term also means (of a question) allowing the formulation of any answer, rather than a selection from a set of possible answers (Goetsch, p. 171)

Personal beliefs and feelings is defined as an individual did not believe the accident would happen to them.
The term also means the individual was working too fast, showing off, or being a know it all and ignored the rules (Goetsch, p.167).

Primary witness is defined as an eyewitnesses to the accident.
The term also means to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception (Goetsch, p.170).

Principal’s office syndrome is defined as a location selection that is not likely to be intimidating to witnesses. It is important to select a neutral location in which witnesses will feel comfortable.
The term also means that all persons interviewed should be allowed to relate their recollections without fear of contradiction (Goestch, p.171).

Reenactment is defined as a simulation rather than actually performing the steps that led up to the accident.
The term also means to act out or re-create dramatically (a historical event, for example (Goetsch, p.173).

Secondary witness is defined as witnesses who did not actually see the accident happen, but were in the vicinity and arrived on the scene immediately or very shortly after the accident.
The term also means someone who has, who claims to have, or is thought, by someone with authority to compel testimony, to have knowledge relevant to an event or other matter of (Goetsch, p.170).

Systems failure is defined as causes that various errors management makes that are not grossly negligent or serious and willful
The term also means the condition in which a system no longer performs the function it was intended to, or is not able to do so (Goestch, p.167-168).

Tertiary witness is defined as witnesses who were not present at the time of the accident or afterward but may still have relevant evidence to present
The term also means a third party who can be a witness (Goestch, p.170).

Traps is defined as a poor design of workstations and processes can create traps that, in defective equipment.
The term also means corrupt design of the work area and failure to replace proper personal protective equipment (Goetsch, p.167-168).

Unsafe acts is defined as common causes such as an individual choose to ignore the rules or people are involved in horseplay or fighting.
The term also means any act that deviates from a generally recognized safe way or specified method of doing a job and which increases the probabilities for an accident (Goetsch, p.167-168).

Unsafe conditions is defined as common causes such as unsafe condition created by the person injured in the accident or unsafe condition created by a fellow employee.
The term also means as any physical condition attributable to physical and mechanical sources within the work environment (Goetsch, p.167-168).

What is defined as a question asked in attempting to find the facts and identify causes, regardless of the nature of the accidents
The term also means asking for information specifying something (Goetsch, p.166).

When is defined as when noted, they are recorded as facts instead of faults.
The term also means at or on which (referring to a time or circumstance) (Goetsch, p.166).

Where is defined as it’s recorded as facts instead of faults when interviewing accident witnesses.
The term also means at, in, or to which (used after reference to a place or situation)
(Goetsch, p. 166).

Who is defined as asked to in a distinct matter of emphasis when interviewing a witness.
The term also means used to introduce a clause giving further information about a person or people previously mentioned (Goetsch, p.166).

Why is defined as sought when interviewing accident witnesses. Its not mistakes or breaches of precautionary procedures by workers go unnoted. It’s recorded as facet instead of faults.
The term also means for what reason or purpose (Goetsch, p.166).

Review Questions

1. Explain the rationale for investigating accidents. It is important that a accident is investigated thoroughly when it occurs. The results f a comprehensive accident report can help safety and health professionals pinpoint the cause of the accident. With information it can be used to prevent future accidents (Goetsch, p. 165).

2. When should an investigation be reported? Why? The investigation should begin soon as possible after an accident occurs. The purpose of the report is to record the findings of the accident investigation, the cause or causes of the accident, and recommendations for corrective action (Goetsch, p.166).

3. Explain the difference between an accident report and an accident-analysis report. An accident report is completed when the accident in question represents only a minor incident. In an accident-analysis report is completed when the accident in question is serious (Goetsch, p.165-166).

4. List the categories of the most common causes of accidents. The most common causes of accidents are as follows personal beliefs and feelings; decision to work unsafely; mismatch or overload; systems failure; traps; unsafe conditions; unsafe acts (Goetsch, p.167-168).

5. What are the terms that should guide the conduct of an accident investigation? Isolating the accident scene, recording all evidence, photograph or videotape the scene , identify witnesses, and interview witnesses are the terms that should guide the conduct of an accident investigation (Goetsch, p.179).

6. What role should the safety and health professional play in the conduct of an accident investigation? The safety and health professional at least studies the accident report and be consulted regarding recommendations for corrective action when the accident in question is very minor. If the accident is so serious the safety and health professional should assist in conducting the investigation. Regardless of the approach preferred by a given company the safety and health professional should play a leadership role in collecting and analyzing the facts and developing recommendations (Goetsch, p.179).

7. List and explain the steps for conducting an accident investigation. The first step for conducting a accident investigation is to isolate the accident scene by blocking off b the area by barriers or heavy yellow tape. Then record all the evidence because certain types of evidence may be perishable. Next to identify the witnesses since its important to compile a witness list. Finally, interview all witnesses for clarification or corroboration (Goestch, p.169-171).

8. Why is it important to record all pertinent evidence relating to an accident immediately after an accident has occurred? It is important to record all pertinent evidence relating to an accident immediately after an accident has occurred because the evidence has been isolated to maintain closely and the witnesses memory is still clear (Goetsch, p.179).

9. What can you do when taking close-up photographs to put them in proper perspective? When photographing objects involved in the accident place a ruler or coin next to the object when making a close-up photograph to demonstrate the objects size or perspective (Goetsch, p.170).

10. List and differentiate among the three categories of witnesses to an accident. Three categories of witnesses to an accident are primary witnesses are eyewitnesses to the accident; secondary witnesses are witnesses who did not actually see the accident happen; and tertiary witnesses are witnesses who were not present at the time of the accident nor afterward but may still have relevant evidence to present (Gotesch, p.170).

11. Briefly explain the when and where of interviewing witnesses. Interviewing witnesses should proceed expeditiously at the accident scene when it’s possible. The best place to interview a witness is at the accident scene; if not possible the interview should take place in a private setting elsewhere (Goetsch, p.171).

12. Briefly explain the how of interviewing witnesses. The key to getting at the facts is t put the witness at ease and to listen. Listen to what is said and how it is said. Phrasing the questions in open-ended format to get to the information that is needed (Goetsch, p.171-172).

13. What is the purpose of an accident report? The purpose of an accident report is to record the findings of the accident investigation, the cause or causes of the accident, and recommendations for corrective action (Goetsch, p.165).