Safety professionals believe that accident investigation procedures now used in industry are weak in identifying the casual factors of accidents. Existing methods tend to focus on the results of an accident rather than on identifying casual factors and selecting effective corrective action.
The objective of this manual is to provide an improved, systematic approach to accident investigation that will identify casual factors and suggest corrective actions that will reduce or eliminate the probability of accident recurrences. It is designed primarily for people who investigate workplace accidents – supervisors, others in line management, and occupational safety and health personnel or specialists. It also should be helpful to others concerned with accident prevention, including people in labor organizations and government agencies and those involved in developing standards.
This manual can be used alone or in conjunction with Accident Investigation, a training program consisting of two videotapes, an instructor manual, and a participant workbook, all published by the National Safety Council.