Accident Investigation: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
Understanding Workplace Accidents
Accidents in the workplace are not just unfortunate events; they are valuable learning opportunities. Whether it’s a minor injury or a major incident, every workplace accident should be investigated. By understanding the root cause, employers and workers can take steps to prevent similar events in the future.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) in New Zealand places a duty on businesses and employers, known as Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), to ensure the health and safety of their workers. This includes investigating accidents and near misses to improve workplace safety.
Why Investigate Accidents and Near Misses?
Accident investigations are crucial for several reasons:
● Prevent Future Incidents: By identifying hazards and weaknesses in current safety procedures, businesses can implement effective preventative measures.
● Legal Compliance: Under HSWA, PCBUs must notify WorkSafe New Zealand about notifiable events, such as serious injuries or fatalities, and keep records for at least five years.
● Improve Workplace Safety Culture: Investigating near misses (events that could have resulted in injury) fosters a proactive safety culture where workers feel encouraged to report hazards.
● Reduce Costs: Workplace accidents can lead to compensation claims, medical expenses, and lost productivity. Prevention is always more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath.
What Should Be Investigated?
All incidents should be investigated, but some require immediate attention. Notifiable events, as defined by WorkSafe New Zealand, include:
● Workplace fatalities
● Serious injuries such as amputations, serious head injuries, and major burns
● Notifiable incidents like gas leaks, fires, explosions, or structural collapses
Steps to Conduct an Effective Investigation
Accident investigations follow a structured approach to determine what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent recurrence. Here’s how to do it:
- Preserve the Scene
If a serious accident has occurred, the site must remain undisturbed until WorkSafe inspectors provide clearance, unless action is needed to assist an injured person or make the area safe. - Gather Information
● Interview witnesses as soon as possible while their memory is fresh.
● Collect evidence, such as photos, videos, and damaged equipment.
● Review records, including training logs, maintenance reports, and safety procedures.} - Identify the Root Cause
Rather than blaming individuals, focus on finding the underlying causes:
● Unsafe acts (e.g., operating machinery incorrectly)
● Unsafe conditions (e.g., faulty equipment, poor lighting)
● System failures (e.g., lack of proper training, inadequate supervision) - Develop and Implement Corrective Actions
Once the causes are identified, take steps to prevent future occurrences:
● Update safety procedures and training
● Improve maintenance schedules
● Implement engineering controls (e.g., safer equipment, better ventilation)
● Reinforce personal protective equipment (PPE) usage - Monitor and Review
Follow up to ensure corrective actions are effective. Regular safety audits and worker feedback can help maintain a safer work environment.
Creating a Culture of Safety
A workplace that prioritizes accident investigations shows commitment to worker safety. Encouraging open communication, reporting of near misses, and proactive hazard identification can significantly reduce workplace risks.
By properly investigating accidents, workplaces can learn valuable lessons, ensuring that employees return home safely at the end of the day. WorkSafe New Zealand and the Accredited Employers Programme offer guidance and support to businesses committed to maintaining a strong safety culture.
Stay safe, stay informed, and take action—because every accident is an opportunity to prevent the next one.