Investigation and Reporting

COR Element 10: Investigation and Reporting, is crucial for all organizations. The purpose behind accident investigation is to find the root causes so that we minimize the chance of repeating the same or similar accident. It also establishes a mechanism in-place to assist with the report, so that we can get immediate help to the injured person(s) and mitigate the impact of the accident.  

Organizations must file a report of notice for accidents, explosions, fire, or workplace violence causing injury. If a person is disabled from performing their usual work activity, or requires medical attention as a result, the employer shall, within four days of the occurrence, provide written notice. Additionally, procedures must outline the requirements for preservation of wreckage from serious accidents.

Most jurisdictions also have prescriptive requirements for reporting of workplace accidents. The term  “critically injured” applies to 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 (per R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 834, s. 1).

The current COR audit tool verifies that an organization being audited meets the implementation and use requirements of investigation and reporting.  A COR Auditor will examine and evaluate the following:

1.       Does the organization have documented policies and procedures for investigating and reporting incidents?

2.       Do records show that the incident investigation and reporting procedure is being followed?                

3.       Has the organization established a standardized incident investigation form that is readily available?  

4.       Are workers aware of reporting procedures?                                                       

5.       Have supervisors been trained in incident investigation and reporting procedures?                                    

6.       Are appropriate personnel involved in investigations?                                                        

7.       Are opportunities for corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) being identified and addressed?              

8.       Are corrective and preventive actions implemented and communicated to workers in a timely manner?          

9.       Is the organization measuring the effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions?

Much of this has been in place for a long time and should be easily understood by anyone who has been in business for a while.  One important distinction within the COR standard however, is the difference between corrective, and preventative action. Corrective action seeks to correct the circumstances that created that specific incident.  For example, someone slips on ice; to correct that situation, an employee is assigned to salt and scrape the sidewalks. 

Preventative action seeks to systematically eliminate the circumstance(s) which allowed such an incident to happen in the first place.  Typically, this manifests in changes to practice, procedures, or equipment.  In our ice example, salting the sidewalks corrects the problem.  Having someone inspect for ice daily and assigning responsibility within a practice or procedure for the sidewalks to be salted when ice is present, prevents the incident from happening. 

The effective implementation of the COR program will make our workplaces safe and act as a key to accident prevention. Does your organization have the tools to identify the root causes? Does your organization have a process to record, manage, and close out all CAPAs in a timely manner?

Presented by Roger Belair and Jason Colucci - Approved COR Associate Auditors.