H & S Templates UK - Accident Investigation

Accident Investigation

Understanding what happened — and why

When an accident occurs in the workplace, the immediate priority is to make sure anyone who has been injured receives appropriate assistance and that any immediate risks are dealt with.

An effective investigation should then establish what happened, identify the underlying causes and consider what can be done to prevent a similar incident occurring again.

An investigation should not simply look for someone to blame. It should establish the facts and consider whether there were weaknesses in the way the work was planned, managed or carried out.

What should an accident investigation establish?

You will need to consider the following five points:

1. What happened?
Establish a clear factual account of the incident.

2. Where and when did it happen?
Record the location, timing and circumstances.

3. Who was involved or witnessed the incident?
Identify those involved and obtain accounts while events are still fresh.

4. Why did it happen?
Consider the immediate and underlying causes, including equipment, procedures, training and supervision.

5. What can be done to prevent recurrence?
Identify appropriate corrective actions and ensure they are followed through.

What we look for during an investigation

A good investigation should go beyond simply recording what happened. The circumstances leading up to an accident can often reveal issues that were not immediately obvious.

We look at the condition of the workplace, the equipment and systems of work, relevant risk assessments and procedures, training and supervision, and the accounts of those involved.

Sometimes the investigation establishes that an accident was an isolated event. In other cases, it identifies a wider issue that could potentially result in further incidents if it isn't addressed.

Common investigation problems

The investigation starts with an assumption
It is important to establish the facts before deciding what caused the accident.

Evidence isn't recorded promptly
Photographs, witness accounts and other evidence can become difficult to obtain as time passes.

The underlying cause is missed
Stopping at “employee error” may fail to identify why the error occurred or whether the system of work contributed to it.

Corrective actions aren't followed through
An investigation is of limited value if the identified improvements are not implemented and reviewed.

Examples from investigations

Over the years, we have investigated a wide range of workplace accidents and liability claims. Some investigations have highlighted relatively straightforward issues, while others have revealed problems that were not immediately apparent.

The examples below are based on situations encountered during investigations. Identifying details have been omitted or changed.

Manual handling training was not provided because the employer considered an experienced employee did not need training, having undertaken similar work in a previous job.
There were no clearly defined pedestrian walkways within a workplace, and an employee was subsequently struck by a forklift.
A forklift was being operated by an employee who had not received the appropriate training and authorisation.
Employees were permitted to undertake tasks for which they had not received appropriate training.
An employee slipped in a warehouse. The risk assessment stated that floors should be kept clear, but our investigation identified a recurring problem with a leaking roof.
An employee was injured using workplace equipment. Although a risk assessment existed, we found that the employee had not been trained to use the equipment.

Need a practical accident investigation toolkit?

Our Accident Investigation Toolkit is designed to help businesses record workplace incidents, gather relevant information and investigate what happened in a structured and consistent way.

It provides practical, editable documentation to help identify immediate and underlying causes and record actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

View the Accident Investigation Toolkit

Health & Safety Templates UK
Practical health & safety guidance, templates and resources for UK businesses.

Health & Safety Templates UK is a resource provided by Liability Claims Investigations Ltd.
Our health & safety resources are informed by practical experience investigating workplace accidents and liability claims for businesses and insurers.