• A specific series of procedures should be observed when conducting a proper accident investigation.

Conducting an effective accident investigation will involve the following steps:

• Control the scene. Correct any immediate hazards, secure the area, and preserve evidence. Hazards may include fallen electrical wires, fires, chemical spills, or other physical or health hazards. Providing personal protective equipment (PPE), isolating pressurized systems, and supplying emergency lighting helps ensure the safety of workers responding to the accident.
• Identify and collect evidence. Take pictures of the scene, take samples of spilled materials, interview witnesses, review health and safety records and training records, and consider operations errors such as unguarded or defective equipment, poor ventilation or lighting, toxic gases, excessive noise, radiation, or floor openings. This step includes taking notes that can help develop a final report.
• Mark and label all evidence: Evidence is anything that helps establish the facts. Label and mark the accident scene itself to warn others to stay away from the area while the accident is being investigated.
• Determine the root cause(s): Review all collected evidence and facts. The root cause is the true cause of the accident and is usually a system failure, not merely an employee action. For instance, if an employee injured in a fall was not wearing fall protection, one obvious factor is the failure to wear fall protection. However, if the employer did not consistently enforce the policy requiring fall protection, the root cause would be lack of enforcement. Other root causes can include lack of training, failure to maintain equipment, or lack of equipment guarding.
• Develop corrective actions. Work to reduce or eliminate the chances of another accident occurring. Corrective actions directly address the root cause.
• Communicate findings. Report the findings to upper management and other affected departments. To effectively communicate the findings, provide the following information in the final report:
  1. A description of the accident (including date, time, and location);
  2. The facts determined during the investigation (including chronology as appropriate);
  3. A list of the suspected root causes; and
  4. Recommendations for corrective action (including timing and responsibility for completion).
• Implement corrective actions. Ensure the corrective actions developed are actually carried out.