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All accidents, incidents, and near misses should be investigated. The focus of the investigations should be to identify the root cause. While there are many reasons for investigating accidents, the main reason is to keep similar accidents from happening again. Effective and thorough accident investigations show employees that you are concerned for their safety and well-being.
Incident investigation is required under OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard at 1910.119(m). Employers covered by the standard must investigate each incident that resulted in, or could reasonably have resulted in, a catastrophic release of highly hazardous chemical in the workplace. The regulation requires employers to start an incident investigation as promptly as possible, but no later than 48 hours after the incident. Employers must:
Non-PSM facilities
Except in relation to PSM, OSHA does not require employers to perform accident investigations. However, some states do require them, so be sure to understand your particular state laws and regulations. In addition, many insurance companies require you to conduct accident investigations as a condition of your coverage.
OSHA’s voluntary “Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines” recommends that employers “provide for investigation of accidents and near miss incidents, so that their causes and means for preventing repetitions are identified.”
PSM-covered facilities. Facilities covered by OSHA’s Process Safety Management program must investigate each incident that resulted in, or could reasonably have resulted in a catastrophic release of a highly hazardous chemical in the workplace.
The investigation must take place within 48 hours of the incident.
Non-PSM facilities.