Workplace Incidents: Investigations are Key to Prevention
Incidents don’t just happen. Something causes them, and usually more than one thing. An investigation should identify those causes, but the cause of an incident isn’t the same as the cause of an injury. Injuries may be caused by overexertion, falls, or being struck by objects. Factors that caused the incident, however, are more complex. For example, a wet floor may cause a fall, but determining why the floor was wet and why the hazard wasn’t addressed gets at the root causes.
An incident or near-miss investigation shouldn’t stop upon finding an obvious cause; it should continue until all underlying factors are identified. If those root causes aren’t identified and addressed, they’ll continue to generate incidents. Effectively addressing the root causes should help prevent recurrence, which translates to fewer injuries.
Among other topics, this webcast will cover:
- Preparing and training to conduct effective investigations.
- Tips for conducting interviews and watching for blame-shifting.
- Selecting and presenting corrective actions to decision-makers.
- Addressing behavioral causes such as complacency, resistance to change, and pressure to take safety shortcuts.
This free event will also include a live Q&A session!
Speakers:
Edwin Zalewski
Senior Editor - EHS
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Ed Edwin (Ed) Zalewski is a Senior Editor on the EHS Content Team at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. He researches and creates content for a variety of safety-related topics and contributes to several products. Edwin specializes in issues such as walking working surfaces, powered industrial trucks, and injury/illness recordkeeping.
Joe Proulx, MS, CSP
Editor - EHS
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Joe Proulx became a member of J. J. Keller’s EHS Content team in 2023. Before joining J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., he worked in prominent roles in the manufacturing sector and higher education.
Joe is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), an OSHA-authorized trainer for General Industry, and a Six Sigma Black Belt. His broad academic achievements include an Associate of Science in Industrial Laser Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management, and a Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health.
Duration: 1 Hour