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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUR130-003 Accident/Injury InvestigationsCity D1 PICKERING CITY PROCEDURE Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 • Reference: Occupational Health & Safety Act Date Originated: January 30, 2009. Date Revised: Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact: Coordinator, Health & Safety Procedure Objective The objective of this Procedure is to: 1. assign responsibilities to ensure that injuries, accidents and illnesses are adequately investigated and reported; 2. ensure all circumstances, contributing factors, and root causes of work- related critical near misses and accidents are examined and acted upon; and 3. ensure that corrective actions are undertaken to prevent similar injuries, accidents and illnesses in the future. Index 01 Definitions 02 Procedures 01 Definitions 01.01 Accident - A condition or act that results in unexpected injury or illness; an unforeseen or unplanned occurrence; an unintended outcome of a condition or act, including: a) a wilful and intentional act, not being the act of the worker; b) a chance event occasioned by a physical or natural cause; and c) disablement arising out of, and in the course of, employment. 01.02 Critical injury - An injury of a serious nature that: a) places life in jeopardy; b) produces unconsciousness; c) results in substantial loss of blood; d) involves the fracture of a leg or arm but not a finger or toe; e) involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot but not a finger or toe; f) consists of burns to a major portion of the body; or g) causes the loss of sight in an eye. 01.03 Critical Near Miss - An incident that, under different circumstances, could have resulted in a critical or fatal injury and/or significant damage to property, equipment or materials. A supervisor in charge of the workplace must decide whether an incident is a critical near miss. 01.04 First Aid - Health services provided by employees of the City certified as First Aid Attendants or First Responders. 01.05 Incident - An undesired event that under certain circumstances could have resulted in personal harm, property loss or damage, or a near miss (close call) situation. 01.06 Incident Log - A notebook used to record notes, facts and details. A separate log entry is started for each incident. 01.07 Injury - Any physical or functional abnormality or loss which results from a workplace accident or occupational disease. Such injuries may result in lost time and/or a requirement for medical aid or first aid. 01.08 Investigation Kit - Includes notebook, pens and indelible markers, clipboard, measuring tape, camera, flashlight, barrier tape, cell phone, emergency call numbers, evidence bags, personalprotective equipment for the investigator (minimum nitrile gloves, hard hat, safety vest and safety footwear), first aid kit. Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 2 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 01.09 Investigation Records - Includes log book notes, incident report form (person), incident report form (property loss or damage), WSIB Employer's Report of Injury/Illness, site drawings, photographs, witness statements, maintenance logs, mechanical inspection reports, prior hazard surveys and tests, user manuals, manufacturers' specifications, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), training records, applicable policies and procedures, any related incident records. 01.10 Investigation Report - A compilation of documents that form part of the Corporate record and includes a detailed Investigation Report Memo and an appendix of additional documents such as the sequence of events (timelines, who did what and when did they do it?), witness statements, first aid records, accident and/or incident reports, technical reports, training records, etc. 01.11 Investigation Report Memo - A document that sets out the investigation findings and includes: 1) a description of the incident: a) what happened; b) who was involved; and c) when and where it happened. 2) a list of persons that were interviewed and their positions, titles and organization; 3) a description of the environment and conditions at the time of the incident; 4) as applicable, a description of any machinery, equipment, device or power source involved in the incident; 5) as applicable, a description of service & maintenance records for any machinery, equipment, device or power source involved in the incident; 6) as. applicable, a description of any materials involved in the incident; 7) a summary of findings; Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 3 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 -8) conclusions as to why the incident happened, specifically the root cause(s) and contributing factors; and ) recommendations or steps needed to remedy and prevent another incident. Documents that should be attached to the Investigation Report Memo include: a) a timeline of the sequence of events starting with the initial reporting; b) as applicable, a copy of MSDSs for any hazardous materials involved in the incident; c) as applicable, a copy of any related technical reports prepared by engineers, industrial hygienists, mechanics, laboratories, etc.; d) as applicable, evidence such as photographs, maps and drawings; and e) manufacturer's use specifications and/or operating instructions for equipment, tools, devices and materials. Physical evidence other than documents, such as material samples, personal protective equipment, tools, etc. should be retained in their 'as found' condition until the investigation is complete. 01.12 Lost Time - Any absence from work (except the date of the accident), which results in a loss of wages. 01.13 Medical Aid - Professional services provided by a health care practitioner, including services provided by or at hospitals and health facilities. 01.14 Reportable Injuries - All injuries, whether lost time is required or not, must be reported on the Supervisor's Report of Injury/Accident. An injury becomes reportable to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board when: a) the employer becomes aware that the employee required health care as a result of the injury or accident; or Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 4 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 b) the employer becomes aware that the employee became unable to perform the usual duties or his or her job as a result of the injury or accident (including being absent from work for any period of time, or requiring modified duties for a period of at least seven days). 01.15 Sequence of Events - A step-by-step timeline that describes the actions and circumstances before, during and following an incident. 01.16 Supervisor - A person who has charge of a workplace or authority over an employee. [Note: A person need not have the job title "supervisor" to be a supervisor under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, and may include unionized supervisory staff such as forepersons, captains and platoon chiefs]. 01.17 Unsafe Act - Specific action or failure to take specific action on the part of an individual that is within the individual's control. 01.18 Unsafe Attire - Inappropriate personal attire or inappropriate or poorly fitted personal protective equipment needed for the task, activity, conditions, materials, equipment, machinery or devices used. 01.19 Unsafe Procedure or Method - Failure to follow safe work procedures and guidelines, improper use of equipment, tools or devices, unauthorized use of equipment, tools or devices, failure to report a hazard or hazardous condition, failure to follow instructions. 02 Procedures 02.01 General Policy Overview Accident investigation is an effective method for collecting information that can prevent future work-related injuries. All factors contributing to an incident are examined to determine the underlying cause(s) and to identify measures needed to prevent a similar incident from occurring again. It is not the direct purpose of an investigation to apportion blame on an individual or group. Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 5 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 02.02 Incidents to be Investigated The City requires that the following types of incidents be investigated: a) incidents that result in Critical/Fatal injuries; b) critical near misses (close calls) that have the potential to cause a critical or fatal injury; c) incidents involving a piece of equipment, machinery, device or power source; d) lost time injuries that require treatment by a health care provider; e) illnesses caused by exposure to harmful materials; f) toxic or hazardous material spills or releases in the workplace; g) incidents involving fire or the discharge of a fire extinguisher; h) incidents that result in significant damage to property, equipment or machinery; and i) incidents involving a contractor or a third party employee not in the employ of the City. 02.03 Accident/Incident Investigation Procedures The supervisor initiates an incident log as soon as notified of an incident, by recording the date and time of the notification along with the location and the name(s) of any injured persons and the name of the person reporting the incident. The supervisor initiates the Critical/Fatal Incident Response if there are grounds to believe a critical/fatal incident has taken place. Refer to City Procedure HUR 130-004 Critical and Fatal Incident Responses. The supervisor attends the incident site promptly and: a) assumes command of the scene unless this has already been established by Police or Fire Services; Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 6 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 b) scans the scene for immediate hazards; and c) establishes a safety boundary around the perimeter of the site, as required. The supervisor takes steps to ensure that unauthorized persons do not enter the safety boundary unless they are First Responders, Emergency Services or employees authorized by the City to attend accidents. The supervisor takes steps to preserve the scene unless he or she must take immediate safety measures to prevent further injuries, for example, shut down machinery, turn off vehicle ignitions, shut off fuel pumps, break a circuit, brace a falling shelf, or use a fire extinguisher. The supervisor ensures that any person who is injured receives necessary medical attention. The supervisor ensures physical evidence is not disturbed until investigated and documented (for example, by way of photographs or drawings) or — where applicable, the site has been released by an Incident Commander (Emergency Services) or by a Ministry of Labour investigator. Where an incident results in a critical injury or fatality, the site must not be disturbed until released by a Ministry of Labour investigator. Where appropriate for the purpose of the investigation, the supervisor arranges to have photographs taken of the accident scene, including photographs of the condition of the workplace, weather conditions, condition of equipment, tools or machinery involved in the accident, and of any other item or place that may be relevant. The supervisor arranges for the services of investigation specialists such as engineers, mechanics, industrial hygienist, and testing laboratories. The supervisor arranges for Pre -Start Up Inspection by a qualified person, of any equipment, machinery, mechanical and powered devices before releasing same back into service. Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 7 of 8 Procedure Number: HUR 130-003 02.04 Investigation Reports Originals of all investigation reports should be sent to the Department or Division Head, and the Coordinator, Health & Safety and the Co -Chairs of the Joint Health & Safety Committee. Procedure Title: Accident/Injury Investigations Page 8 of 8 Procedure. Number: HUR 130-003